Belgian War Graves Rondu

Around the Saint-Etienne church in the old cemetery are two graves of war dead of the Second World War.

" Emile GOBERT
Soldier of the 2nd Ardennes Regiment.
Born in Rondu on 24-3-1920
Fallen on the field of honour
in Meigem on 26-5-1940 "
He was killed when an attempt was made to erect a transverse position on the breach at Meigem already made by the Germans.

"Michel COIBION
Died for the fatherland
1914-1940"
He was a soldier with the Ardennes Jagers and was killed in action in Vinkt on May 25, 1940.

During the 18-day campaign, more specifically on Friday 24 May, the front line had moved to the Schipdonk Canal that runs through Deinze. The Germans built two pontoons across the canal that were under heavy fire from the Belgian artillery guns.
On Saturday 25 May 1940 Vinkt and Meigem, sub-municipalities of Deinze, came under German fire, after which Meigem was taken. The village of Vinkt remained in the hands of the Ardennes Hunters. The German troops of the 337th Infantry Reg. / 225th Infantry Division attempted to cross the Schipdonk Canal in Deinze, taking civilians as living shields. During the artillery shelling between the Belgian and German army, an shell exploded in the group of 150 hostages. 38 people were killed.
On Sunday 26 May 1940 it was rumored among the German soldiers that civilians had shot at them, followed by reprisals. In Meigem residents were herded to the church and held as hostages.
Vinkt still remained in the hands of the Ardennes Hunters.
Monday 27 May 1940 was a black day for Vinkt and Meigem. In the church of Meigem, where dozens of people had been held captive since the day before, a heavy explosion took place in the afternoon, probably caused by a Belgian grenade. 27 people were killed in this. The shelling between the German soldiers in Meigem and the Ardennes Hunters in Vinkt lasted all day, after which the German 337th IR/225th ID captured Vinkt. By this time, the German soldiers had also become convinced that civilians had fired at them, after which a raid was held in the village. In several places civilians were taken from their homes and shot. A total of 111 civilians died that day in Vinkt and Meigem as a result of artillery fire or executions.

Source: Bunker Belt Bridge Head Ghent and Wikipedia

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Source

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