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Lezing: De luchtoorlog 1914-1918

• 20 November 2026
  • 19:15

On Friday, November 20, an interesting lecture will be held at the Medemblik War Museum about the development of the aircraft, which evolved from a simple means of reconnaissance into an important and feared weapon of war in just four years. During the First World War, reconnaissance aircraft, fighters, torpedo planes, and large high-flying bombers appeared on the scene.

The pilots of light reconnaissance aircraft had to arm themselves against enemy planes. This is how the fighter aircraft emerged, and with it, the first aerial battles. The war also drew ever closer to the civilian population. The large, cigar-shaped German Zeppelins bombarded English cities. Later, they were succeeded by German bombers, after which the British responded with their own, increasingly large bombers. The importance of the new aerial weapon soon became apparent. The aviation industry switched to mass production, and in just four years, many tens of thousands of aircraft were built.

The training and work of the pilots, often called ‘knights of the air’, are also discussed in detail. The lecture concludes in the Netherlands with the founding of the LVA, the predecessor of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Remarkably, there was no shortage of aircraft in that early period: French, English, and German planes sometimes simply ended up on Dutch soil due to breakdowns or fuel shortages! The presentation is richly illustrated with unique visual material and beautiful short video clips. A lecture full of remarkable developments and surprising moments, during which you will frequently ask yourself: ‘Even back then?’ We hope to welcome you to this special lecture!

The lecture starts at 20:00, doors open at 19:15.

You can also come and have a nice dinner beforehand at 18:00,

Before the lecture, you can enjoy a delicious 1, 2, or 3-course buffet prepared on authentic WWII field kitchens. From 18:00, you can watch the Live Cooking and learn how they managed to keep feeding our Liberators on the West Front for months. The main course we prepare is the Blauwe Hap, a very tasty nasi goreng platter with a story. Come and experience this unique event before the lecture and book it with your lecture ticket.