Memorial Bombing Firm Gernay

During World War II (from May 1940), the factory fell into the hands of the occupying forces and, unbeknownst to the Gernay family, production was put on German lines.

On Monday 12 July 1943, at about 11.40 in the morning, the company was hit by an air raid carried out by the British RAF. The target of this air raid was actually the power station at Zwevegem but presumably due to German Flak near Wevelgem, the target was either not recognised or recognised too late. In any case, the bomb aimer of the British Boston III bomber BZ316 (N°88 Squadron RAF) suddenly saw the textile factories in the centre of Waregem as an acceptable ‘second target’ and he unloaded his deadly payload there. One bomb fell as a dud (an unexploded bomb) in Olmstraat, near the entrance to the offices. Two bombs hit the warehouses and the part of the factory where there were some stitching machines and where weaving was still done by hand. A fourth bomb fell next to the company buildings in the garden of a house in Stationsstraat.

Seven people were killed and at least 18 injured, some of whom remained maimed for life. The tragedy could have been much worse if the bombs had effectively fallen on the weaving mill buildings where more than 100 people were working at the time ... or on one of the three nearby schools.

People in Waregem did not know that this bombing was the result of a failed mission over Zwevegem and, as a result, some persistent ‘urban legends’ arose during and after the war.

This monument is a result of the research work of some Waregem residents (Marc Crabeels, Paul Deweer and Johan Durnez) and the town of Waregem

The memorial is a design by Christ Eeckhout, teacher at VTI Waregem. For the practical implementation, the students and teachers of the 3rd and 4th year Profession Basic Mechanics, the 5th year Profession Welding Construction, the 7th year Profession Industrial Maintenance and the 3rd, 4th and 6th year Construction and Wood Science of the Waregem VTI took care of the project. ICT support for this QR code was provided by the students and the ICT teacher of the 6th year Computer Science Management of the Heilig-Harthandels Institute.

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

Source

• Text: Het Nieuws van West-Vlaanderen
• Photos: Lies Vansteenkiste
• https://www.zuidwest.be/inspiratie/herdenking-bombardement-gernay-1943