16/12/1944, a symbolic date for Antwerp.
This day shows like no other the role and toll of Antwerp in WWII. The crucial role is evident from the fact that on this day Hitler started his Ardennes offensive to recapture Antwerp and its port, his last major attack in the West. That same day the toll for the city under his V-weapon offensive became clear in the most terrible way with two V2s that together caused a sad record of more than 600 deaths in one day.
Monday marks exactly 80 years since the deadliest V2 in history crashed into Antwerp.
As we notice in the museum, this event is undoubtedly the most famous one in Antwerp's V-weapon history, not surprising considering the 567 dead and many wounded on 16 December 1944. It is therefore logical that there are still many stories about this impact from family members who, for various reasons, did or did not go to "the Rex", sometimes with dramatic consequences. A delay that was initially experienced as very unpleasant was later cherished as a life-saving memory, like the strict grandmother who said that no one went to the cinema until "the dishes" were done!
During a V-bomb walk in the city this year, participant Irina told us about a young victim in the family and sent us a scan of his prayer card. 12-year-old Karel was not supposed to go to the cinema but went anyway…
“While he was enjoying childish dreams on the silver screen, death suddenly appeared to him as the last actor.”
In the cinema were also hundreds of troops, including Jim Mills, more about him can be found on this "Antwerp Commemorates" page.
Pieter Serrien wrote a blog article on his website as he has been working on the subject for some time now and contributing to the remembrance of it. On his website another page can be found on the impact with also links to stories of witnesses and even the, much too long, list of casualties. Just like his list with information on many impacts all across Belgium it's certainly worth a visit, perhaps you can learn something new about your neighbourhood or share some new information on an impact?
Want to see "The Plainsman" with Buffalo Bill on the big screen yourself?
The film that was playing at the time of the disaster will also be shown again on Sunday 15 December in the city of Antwerp, not on the Keyserlei but on the 4th floor of the MAS museum. At 2 pm it starts with an introduction by Koen Palinckx and at a quarter past the screening starts. For more information and tickets, visit the MAS webpage by clicking here.
Join the commemoration on Monday, December 16, 2024?
A modest ceremony is being organised by a number of historians and interested and with the support of the vzw commemoration of the 1st V-bomb Antwerp and the city to commemorate this tragic incident. There will be a number of speakers, a musical touch and a wreath laying. At 15:23, the moment of impact, a minute of silence will be observed.
Where: UGC cinema at the De Keyserlei in Antwerp.
When: gather on Monday, December 16 from 3 p.m.
The ceremony starts exactly at 3:20 PM and ends around 15:45 PM.
If you would like to lay flowers or a wreath, please let us know.