Memorial 26th Line Regiment Aarschot

This memorial commemorates the 26th Line Regiment which fought here on 19 August 1914.

On August 17, 1914, the Germans broke through the Getelinie and ordered King Albert to withdraw the Belgian army to the fortress of Antwerp. On Tuesday, August 18, a rearguard of the Belgian army was placed in a semicircle around Aarschot to cover this retreat. To absorb a German attack from Rillaar, the 14th line regiment took position southeast of Aarschot
In the early morning of August 19, the Germans advanced to Rillaar. A German reconnaissance group of six riders entered the village. However, they were noticed by an advanced Belgian post at the church. Three German dragoons were put out of action. The following hours the German troops retaliated: houses were looted and burned. Civilian refugees were shot at.
Delayed by this event, the German troops did not move to Aarschot from Rillaar until around 7 a.m. But from their position at kilometer marker 18, Belgian soldiers of the 2nd platoon attacked the German scouts and took them out. Apparently this fact eluded the German commanders. The German troops were convinced that the battle for Aarschot had already been fought. This nonchalance would cost them dearly. The bullets of the Belgians caused death and confusion in the German ranks. In the ecstasy of this success, the 2nd platoon continued to fight for too long. Too late, the 60 men withdrew and in turn fell into a German ambush. Only 13 soldiers reached the company safely.

About the monument
The staging of the monument on the Lei, which was erected on August 27, 1939 for the 26th Line Regiment and more specifically for "the 2nd platoon of the 2 / III reinforced by a section of the 3 / III", looks grand. The text "gained the 26th Line regiment of immortal fame through the heroic sacrifice" emphasizes the achievement. From the street, a spacious staircase on different floors leads to the monument. The memorial is a tightly-blocked whole in white French stone, with a hint of Art Deco style. The whole is surrounded by a park of green hedges and some trees.

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Source

• Text: Jan Rymenams
• Photos: Jan Rymenams (1), Wikimedia Commons (2)