The crater of the V-bomb in the soldiers’ camp near the Laarse Beek. — © rr
Antwerp commemorates the Second World War on the weekend of May 4 and 5. Visitors discover the hidden soul of houses. Or discover the hidden memories of places they pass every day. Two houses are also opening their doors in Ekeren.
During the Open Houses weekend, on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May, stories of fellow citizens from the Second World War are brought up, as is the annual tradition. You can travel through time in six districts. You can also delve into a piece of history at two locations in Ekeren.
In Pastoor de Vosstraat 12, the powerful story of a couple of resistance fighters will be read by Werner Palinckx on Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The woman who puzzled their story into a book, Kristien Hemmerechts, will also read aloud on May 5 at 10:30 am.
The executioner is dead describes the story of Ekerse Gerard Boyart and Maria Van Lommel. Five Nazis invaded their home and took them to a camp because they allowed Putte’s curate, Vincent Mercier, to go into hiding. There followed torture, forced labor, hunger, stench, harsh cold, feelings of guilt towards their children, a death sentence and two escape attempts.
Resistance couple Gerard Boyart and Maria Van Lommel. — © rr
With a good deal of luck, the couple survived the war and were able to write their story four more times for their children. They were only allowed to read it after the parents had died. Youngest daughter Maria-Rita Boyart ensured that the book could be published last year.
V-bomb
A V-bomb fell in the fields near the Laarse Beek on October 14, 1944. It only affected Canadian soldiers and therefore this attack was not allowed to reach the enemy’s attention. The full story disappeared into oblivion.
District mayor and historian Koen Palinckx (N-VA) dug into the mystery and will reveal it in full on Sunday, May 5 at 2 and 3:30 PM in Laar 77.
Be sure to wear sturdy shoes, because if the weather permits, visitors will go into the fields to inspect the precise spot up close.
Tags: Ekeren stories resistance couple escaped executioner Canadian soldiers escape bomb Ekeren
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