Panel 2 Mortsel Bombing 5 April 1943

Text on panel 2
April 5th, 1943
Bombing of Mortsel

The border of Mortsel [/ i]
What happened here?
Above Mortsel a gigantic cloud of dust marked the disaster area. After the bombing, thousands tried to get here, creating a busy two-way street at this place. In the direction of Antwerp an endless row of wounded people went looking for help, towards Oude-God people walked in search of their families.

Witnesses speak [/ i]
"People all over the street were busy discussing the incident and often they hindered me in my haste to get ahead. Before I got to the railway bridge, I had to get off my bicycle. The road was full of broken glass and the tram wires were intertwined. with telephone wires and blocked the passage. The heat of burning houses hit my face ".
"I saw a handcart with a little straw on which two bleeding men were lying. Two men pushed the cart towards Antwerp. A praying priest walked next to them."
"A very strong wind started to blow. That was very dangerous, because the gutters, slash windows and shutters were all loose and that started to swing and to do".
"The street was all on fire. The dead were in the gutter. The butcher was there too, with their legs off. People were in shock and crying down the street."

This walk was realized by the city of Mortsel in collaboration with Pieter Serrien.

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Source

• Text: Mia van den Berg
• Photos: Mia van den Berg