German 622-Bunker Antwerp

This German bunker of the type 622 is located in the Antwerp City Park. The bunker was part of the "Abschnitt Antwerp", part of the Atlantic Wall.

Text on the plaque:

MEMORIAL ROBERT VEKEMANS
03/02/1913 - 22/10/1998

This German command bunker from the Second World War is a historical war memorial, but above all a memory of Robert Vekemans, lieutenant of the Engineer and also civil engineer at the Service Bridges and Roads. In August 1944, the German army took all measures to calculate the total port of Antwerp. When the British 11th Arm. Div. On September 4, 1944, advancing towards Antwerp, Robert Vekemans awaits them at Fort Breendonk. He convinced Major John Dunlop, commander of a squadron of tanks of the 3rd R.T.R., to attack the occupier from behind by a circular movement over the undermined wooden Van Enschodt bridge. Convinced by this genius idea, Major Dunlop gave Robert Vekemans the command of two tanks and an armored car. He managed to perform this bold trick. This cleared the way and that same afternoon the Allies were able to advance to Antwerp. Thanks to this masterly strategy in Klein-Willebroek and the efforts of the Antwerp resistance, the port remained fairly intact and many human lives were spared. This earned Robert Vekemans many decorations, including the medal for bravery and self-sacrifice and the Military Cross pinned personally by Fieldmarshall B.L. Montgomery. With the creation of this memorial, Antwerp finally embraces its former redder.

In November 1944 this bunker was taken into use by the Red Cross.
The "Baby Red Cross Corps" led by Francis Delgoffe took up residence there.
This unit helped Antwerp during the V-bomb terror and worked from this place
after it had become too dangerous for them in the Red Cross Premises located on the Van Eycklei.

Antwerp Military Vehicles Association v.z.w. - 2006 [/ i]

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Source

• Text: Rudi Rasker
• Photos: Tony Verholen (1), Rudi Rasker (2, 3)