TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

National Memorial of the Belgian Occupation Armies

In the middle of the Gutenbergsquare, in a triangular garden, stands the "National monument to the victims of the Belgian occupation army", from 1947.

At the foot of the monument you can read the original text: 'Founded by the National Union of the Veterans of the Occupation Armies', and a date: November 27, 1949. Later on, higher on the sculpture, another clearly legible text was added in black embossed letters " National Memorial to the dead of the Belgian Occupation Armies, 1918-1929 and 1945-1955 ".
The Belgian soldiers stationed in Germany apparently called themselves 'occupiers' until 1955 - and that is how they were seen by the Germans.

Later still 2 bronze plates were added with the addition that now also the dead of the Belgian armed forces in Germany 1955-2003 are commemorated here.


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

Source

  • Text: Marie-Christine Vinck
  • Photos: Marie-Christine Vinck