Immediately after the German invasion of our country in May 1940, the Germans took Gilze-Rijen airfield and expanded it. They also set up a mock airfield 7 km from Gilze-Rijen at De Kiek, a moorland between Alphen Riel. They called it Scheinflugplatz Kamerun, after the German colony, or in code language SF 37. Three fake runways were blasted into the heath, there was a bunker, fake hangars and fake planes.

As soon as Allied bombers approached, the lights came on and the fake planes moved up and down on rails. At Gilze-Rijen, the lights went out simultaneously in the hope that the Mock Airfield was bombed and not the real airfield. In addition, the mock airfield was also used by the Germans to train pilots by dropping concrete practice bombs on an "N" made with chalk in the moor, Notabwerfplatz. This spot was also used by German pilots returning from a mission and still carrying bombs. These went down by parachute, were loaded into trucks and brought back to Gilze-Rijen.

The mock airfield De Kiek remained "in function" until the end of 1944.

Reliving Mock Airfield de Kiek
Hiking trails and a connection from the Bels Lijntje cycle path have been created in the forest where the bunker stands. With the help of information panels, we show the situation from the Second World War. Exactly 75 years after the liberation of Goirle and Riel, a corten steel MesserschmittBF109 was flown here under a Chinook transport helicopter. This artful mock plane and bunker are well worth a visit. Picnic areas are available and a free app can be downloaded for additional information and guided tours can be taken. It has become a place that invites you to reflect and muse. Freedom cannot be taken for granted. Please come and visit this special place.

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