Monument Bombings Sint-Niklaas

On May 17, 1990, a memorial was unveiled on Kroonmolenplein in Sint-Niklaas for the civilians who lost their lives in the bombing of the city. The monument was designed by artist Hubert Minnebo. At the bottom of the memorial plaque is a piece of a German bomb that almost completely destroyed the neighborhood.

"1944-1994 PEACE

Hubert Minnebo
"Her certainty, so different"
Founded by the people of this city
in lasting memory of the victims
of the bombings during WWII
in Sint-Niklaas"

Sint-Niklaas was the victim of several bombings in May 1940.
On May 10, German aircraft dropped firebombs on the old Ghent-Antwerp runway during an attack on the Waasmunster auxiliary airfield. 15 people were injured.
On May 12, high-explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped on the Antwerpse Steenweg, Lindenstraat, Klein Hulst, Papenakkers and Ankerstraat. The deanery of Sint-Niklaas burned down completely.
The heaviest bombings on Gasmeterstraat, Spoorweglaan Hofstraat, Dalstraat and Molendreef took place on May 17, 1940. Two to possibly four German aircraft carried out the mission. As a result of this action, more than eighty civilians and two soldiers died. Seventy people were killed instantly, including 51 refugees who had ended up in Sint-Niklaas after their mandatory evacuation from Breda.
On May 19, high-explosive bombs were dropped on the Grote Markt and surrounding area. Eight more people were killed and about twenty were injured. A bomb pierced the roof and vault of St. Nicholas Church without exploding.
Finally, on May 28, three more buildings in Hertestraat were destroyed by German bombs.
In total, more than 120 civilians died during the five bombings in May 1940.
(Source: Info City of Sint-Niklaas - commemorations)

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Marie-Christine Vinck