Panel 9 Mortsel Bombing 5 April 1943

Text on panel 9
April 5th, 1943
Bombing of Mortsel

Municipal square as a devastated field
The town hall of Mortsel stood on this square, the center of destruction during the bombing. A ready-to-go bus and a tram in the Statielei were surprised by the bombs. Hundreds of witnesses passed this rubble on their way home or fleeing the terrible havoc. They scrambled over wrecks, electrical wires and also bodies. They watched helplessly as the bus and tram burned down while the occupants were trapped. The bus to Kontich with thirty passengers burned out completely.

The bus to Kontich with thirty occupants burned out completely
"A few meters from the town hall people were looking at the sky. I cycled on. There was a bus with the engine running, full of passengers. Suddenly there was a terrible noise from the sky, as if the world was falling apart. Automatically I threw up. me flat on the ground with my head between my arms. "
"That bus completely burned out. I heard those people screaming. I heard them calling for help. It was full of corpses."
"The doors of the bus were closed. I could still hear people moaning in the bus, but I couldn't help it. I still hear that moaning sometimes."
"There were only four wheels left. Those arms and heads of the occupants were there, without blood and all full of dust. They were like dolls. The bomb had fallen right next to the bus. There was a well on that spot, where almost an entire house. in could. "

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Source

• Text: Stad Mortsel en Heemkundige Kring Mortsel / Mia van den Berg
• Photos: Stad Mortsel en Heemkundige Kring Mortsel