Holy Heart Chapel 'Bomb-Chapel' Koolskamp

Koolskamp, a peaceful West Flemish village, had an eventful life during the Second World War. German soldiers had been stationed in Koolskamp since February 1944. Their task was to improve connection to transmitting stations with airfields located deeper inland. When British and American planes fly over Koolskamp, the German air defenses do their job. From May 1944, the inhabitants of Koolskamp gathered around chapels and crucifixes to pray for the speedy liberation of Belgium.

On 20 June 1944, around 9:15 pm, 12 Allied bombers flew over Koolskamp. Countless bombs fell on Koolskamp territory. The bombardment had destroyed 2 houses, 2 partially and 2 barns. A third barn burned down. The purpose of the bombing was to destroy Egem airfield. Although this airfield was important to the Germans according to the Allies, it was not used by them.

At the same time of the bombing, more than 70 people were praying at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart in Kapellestraat. When they heard the roar of the approaching planes and the sound of the bombs, they fled into the chapel or crawled into the ditch by the road. Meanwhile, several bombs exploded on the fields and meadows. Then, however, a bomb fell 3 feet from the crowd. But miraculously, the bomb did not explode. That same evening, countless more people returned to the chapel to pray. They were convinced that God had heard their prayers.

A day after the events, the bomb was dug up and taken to a farm where countless spectators came to admire the bomb. The bomb was taken to another homestead later that day. An unknown man would have said that the Germans would claim the bomb. Because the Germans heard that the bomb had been removed, they went looking for the bomb, but without result. It was kept underground until June 16, 1945. However, the bomb made 1 victim: Cyriel Declercq injured himself on a sharp edge of the bomb but survived. Between 18 and 20 June 1945, the bomb was displayed in the church. On June 20, 1945, the bomb was carried to the chapel where it was hanged. During the celebration of the 1st anniversary of the event, some British planes flew over Koolskamp. Later 3 more British bombers flew over Koolskamp, this time without bombs.

Later, a photograph and the names of the 72 people present were displayed in the chapel. They also placed a sign with the event on it;
Under the 2nd World War on June 20, 1944 at 9:15 am
in the evening 12 bombers on this neighborhood did one
attack. 500 bombs fell on the area.
A 50kg bomb. fell on the gravel road 5 yards from
this chapel where 72 people were praying. The bomb
ruptured, the explosive leaked out. Just an explosion that
no one even bothered the closest ones 1 meter away
neither dead nor injured on the whole of Koolskamp.
Thanks and honor to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through Mary
The date and a bomb were also carved on the street at the place where the bomb fell.

Every year, on June 20, a celebration is still held in the church of Koolskamp in memory of the event. After the celebration, there is a pilgrimage to the chapel.

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Source

• Text: Jente de Roust
• Photos: Luc Van Waeyenberge (1, 2, 3, 4), Jente De Roust (5)