Attenrode Commemorates 4 WWII Deportees with New Memorial Plaque

In the Belgian village of Attenrode, residents gathered for their annual commemoration of four local individuals who were deported to concentration camps during World War II. This year's ceremony included the unveiling of a new memorial plaque at the church, dedicated to telling the story of these four residents. Of the four, only one, Jonkheer Guy de l'Escaille de Lier, survived the war.

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The annual floral tribute for the war victims from this village has become a fixed moment of remembrance during the kermis weekend.

The commemoration, a tradition held during the village's kermis weekend, honors those who were taken during German reprisal raids in August 1944. Mayor Peter Reekmans stated that the annual floral tribute has become a fixed moment of remembrance. The events of 82 years ago began when a German sympathizer was shot by resistance fighters on their way to the kermis.

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When, 82 years ago, the misery began, when a German sympathizer on the way to the kermis was shot dead by 3 resistance fighters.

During two German reprisal raids in August 1944 in Meensel-Kiezegem, four people were murdered, and 63 others later died in concentration camps. "Also, four residents of Attenrode were arrested during the second raid and deported to the concentration camps," Reekmans explained. "Three of them did not return alive. Only the then 21-year-old resistor, Jonkheer Emmanuel de l'Escaille de Lier, returned alive to Attenrode."

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Also, four residents of Attenrode were arrested during the second raid and deported to the concentration camps. Three of them did not return alive. Only the then 21-year-old resistor, Jonkheer Emmanuel de l'Escaille de Lier, returned alive to Attenrode.