Memory Route World War ll Bombing 5 July 1945 Raadhuisstraat Gilze

In the Municipality of Gilze and Rijen is a memory route created in memory of the Second World War.
In a number of places there is a sign with a description of what happened at that place in the Second World War.

BOMBARDMENT JULY 5, 1944 RAADHUISSTRAAT

Due to an almost closed cloud cover, Gilze is heavily bombed by the 303 Group of Flying Forts in 2 formations. They come from Molesworth base in England. The first formation unloads their 250 kg bombs at 8.48 a.m. The bombs end up on the south-west corner of the airport and Verhoven. A direct hit already kills 4 civilians here. The second formation unloads their 250 kg bombs at 8.51 am. These bombs all end up on the houses, streets and adjacent fields of Gilze.
The anti-aircraft guns only start late. When the drone of the bombers and anti-aircraft guns dies, it becomes clear what has been done. People walk around crying, desperate and panicking. The core of the village has been hit hard, there are roof tiles, rubble and glass everywhere. Especially on and near the Square "De Tip" many craters have been made from 5 to 6 meters deep. Critical hits have killed almost two entire families, namely fam. Sikkenga and fam In 't Ven.
The Kerkstraat, Raadhuisstraat, Oranjestraat, Ridderstraat and Versterstraat, the heart of Gilze is a big mess. Emergency services from Tilburg, Rijen and Chaam are there to provide help.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Peter van Hoek (1), Heemkring Molenheide (2)
• www.heemkringmolenheide.nl