Belgian Air Scouts

In 1937, Jan De Bruyn, the restaurateur at the airport and owner of an aircraft himself, came up with the idea of setting up a scouts movement in Antwerp, modeled on the sea scouts. The group would focus on aviation and be Flemish-oriented. Similar initiatives had also emerged abroad, which mainly fitted in with the then prevailing political character of our German neighbours.

Jan found an ally in Elza Leysen, aviation enthusiast and pilot: in February 1938 this resulted in the founding of the Belgian Air Scouts or BAS for short. The scouts had no connection whatsoever with any other scouts group and were essentially Antwerp and Flemish, unique for that time. Elza Leysen became 'godmother' and handed over the scouts their banner on June 23, 1938. Apart from the two founders, the board consisted of the wife of Jan de Bruyn, the husband of Elza Leysen and the main leaders Christiaens, Dergent and Van Den Cruyce. Knight Willy Coppens de Houthulst, the Flemish composer Renaat Veremans and writer Willem Gijssels were honorary members. As protective members the Prince de Ligne and Baron Renaud de Vinck de Winnezele.

During the weekends, the scouts put on their uniforms, camped at the airfield, built gliders under the direction of their monitors, and were taught aeronautical technology and made trips in that context. Just before WWII there were plans to build a real glider. As soon as the liberators entered Antwerp, the Air Scouts reported to the Royal Air Force at the airport, who had them carry out small jobs. After the war, the movement made a new start without Elza Leysen, who was seriously injured. The contingent of Air Scouts was formed around the old pre-war core, but the members grew out of the movement. Study, work and survival in post-war Antwerp took a more important place in their lives. Eventually, the Belgian Air Scouts stopped their activities, but for many of its members it was the start of a career in aviation.