Information Board 14-18 Sambre Rouge - Provisional Hospital

Through the violence of the battles inflicted onto soldiers and civilians, the First World War saw an overall toll of more than 9 million deaths out of 73 million combatants, and around 20 million injured. Over the four years of the conflict, this carnage gave rise to a major requirement for doctors, nurses, as well as organising space for care.

In Gozée, the figure reached more than 3.000 killed, injured and disappeared. During the night of 23 and 24 August following the battle, the pews were emptied out of the church, and in their place was placed straw, hay and mattresses. The top of the Prie-Dieu served as splints for the broken limbs. German officers were to be buried in the small cemetery by the church. To the north of the village, the injured were evacuated to the edge of the wood and in the meadows next to Café de la Belle Vue where doctors operated. The order was given to those who could walk to go to the hospitals of Charleroi and in the region. The others were transported using ambulances, trams and around 20 cars made available by the people of Charleroi. In Thuillies, the steam tram took eight carriages to the hospitals of Charleroi.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: Luc Van Waeyenberge
• Photos: Luc Van Waeyenberge (1, 2), Ricky Van Dyck (3)