| Added by |
 Bart Perdieus
|
| General Description : | Wijnendale Castle (Dutch: Kasteel van Wijnendale) is an historically important castle near the village of Wijnendale, now in the municipality of Torhout, in West Flanders, Belgium. The present castle is largely a 19th-century reconstruction, but a part of the north wing is still 15th century. One wing is inhabited by the present owners; another wing is a museum, open to the public. In May 1940 Wijnendale made history again. On May 25, just before the Battle of Dunkirk, there was a last meeting between King Leopold III of Belgium and four cabinet ministers (Prime Minister Hubert Pierlot, Minister of Foreign Affairs Paul-Henri Spaak, Minister of Internal Affairs Arthur Vanderpoorten and Minister of Defence Denis). With the country surrounded by German troops, capitulation was inevitable. The King however refused to follow his ministers to Britain to continue the struggle from there. He chose as commander-in-chief to remain with his troops and follow them into captivity. This decision led to strong controversy after the war, and to Leopold's abdication in 1951. |
| Face value | 8 Francs |
| Catalog code (Michel) | BE 2151 |
| Catalog code | Stamp Number BE 1151 Yvert et Tellier BE 2099 Stanley Gibbons BE 2763 AFA number BE 2152 Belgium BE 2099 Unificato BE 2099 |
| Series | Tourism |
| Place in series | 4 |
| Stamp colour | multicolour |
| Stamp use | Commemorative stamp |
| Print run | 3.600.000 |
| Issue date | 25/06/1983 |
| Designer | Paul de Gobert |
| Print technique | photogravure |
| Perforation | 11 1/2 |
| Height | 28.00 mm |
| Width | 39.00 mm |
| Catalog prices | No catalog prices set yet |
