Memorial Cross Murdered Civilians Gelrode

Memorial Cross for the citizens of Gelrode, murdered on August 20, 1914.

The facts
A few hours after the raid on Aarschot, the German troops reached the village of Gelrode on the afternoon of August 19, 1914. A woman who fled in fear was shot without mercy. The Germans searched all houses for fear of Francs-terrorists. About 70 men were imprisoned at nightfall in St. Cornelius Church. When the German lieutenant in charge of security asked if he could release the men, he was dismayed to learn that a third would be shot. The lieutenant released some of the prisoners. On the morning of August 20, 21 more men were held hostage. Seven victims were pulled from the queue. The men who were spared were forced to lie flat on the ground in the nearby inn under constant pumping and stamping. Meanwhile, the German troops plundered extensively. 22 houses were set on fire. The seven unfortunates were placed and shot against the facade of a small farm close to the church.

A week later, on August 27, the German troops again invaded Gelrode. The fighting on the Dyle had made the Germans nervous and the soldiers sadistically terrorized the inhabitants. Again, dozens of men and women were chased into the church. A woman who was due to give birth was carried in on childbirth. The next day, a hundred men were taken away on foot. A Gelodenian who did not want to deliver his bucket of drinking water was severely abused. Nothing has ever been heard from him again. The trip for the other Gelrodenaren would end in the prison camps in Germany. Months later, 94 lives returned.

The memorial cross
The simple memorial cross was erected where the seven men were murdered.

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Source

• Text: Jan Rymenams
• Photos: Jan Rymenams