Reconstruction Den Doodendraad Hamont-Achel

At a few places along the Belgian-Dutch border, there is a reconstruction of Den Draad (also known as De Doodendraad): the electric fence that was built by the Germans in World War I along the border to prevent escape. Hundreds of people have been electrocuted through the fence.

Germany brutally invaded neutral Belgium in 1914. The border residents, such as those of Hamont-Achel, had a hard time with the construction of a hermetic barrier on the border. The German occupier wanted to prevent any contact with the free Netherlands and placed a deadly electrical barrier along the border for this purpose.

Since 2000, Hamont-Achel has a reconstruction (adapted in 2015) of "Den droad" as it is popularly called. Along this reconstruction are information boards that provide you with additional information about the original construction in 1916.

There are also 2 walking routes along the wire:
3.2 km (departure at the reconstruction at the Ezel) Approx. 40 min. Hiked anticlockwise
8.8 km (departure from the Achelse Kluis or the Ezel) Approx. 2h30 min. Walked clockwise.

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

Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Jaco Tijssen (1, 2), Herma de Vries (3, 4, 5)
• https://www.toerisme-hamont-achel.be/doen/wandelen/erfgoedwandeling-de-doodendraad
• LEEUWEN, M. VAN & STAARMAN, A., Tastbare Herinneringen 1914-1918, Western Front Association Nederland, 2008.