National Content: Belgium

Air raids on Belgium
Anglo-American pilots machine-gun populations

Details
Source“ Le Soir, the 28th of Augustus 1944
Event referred toCity Bombing during World War II
Technological characteristicsType of file: Image
Extension : pdf
Characteristics
Dimension of the file: 638 Ko
Availability proposed: pdf document with zoom options
Description of the sourceKind of source: Newspaper article
Origin of the source: Archives of the National Library of Belgium, Brussels
Language: French
Copyright issues: reproduction and pedagogical exploitation authorized in the framework of the MHM project
Contextualisation of the source« Le Soir » is an important French-speaking newspaper. Started in 1887, this daily of neutral trend is edited in Brussels. It is mostly read by the middle classes.

In 1944, this newspaper was controlled by the German. It was called in Belgium, during the war, “Le Soir volé”, i.e.” the stolen Soir”.
Interpretation of the sourceThe aim of this article is to create hostile feelings towards the Allies, with a precise information, systematically naming all the towns and villages machine-gunned by the Allies during two specified days, giving the exact numbers of victims. This cold and without comments listing is probably more effective than hostile comments.
Original Contents
Original Contents (English Translation)Air raids on Belgium
Anglo-American pilots machine-gun populations

On Saturday and Sunday, several communes in Flanders and Wallonie have been attacked by Anglo-American air force.
Air raids took place on Saturday on Neuville, Tamines and Roulers, killing 2 persons.
On Sunday, Audenaerde was attacked a second time : 4 persons have been killed. One house has been smashed up and 15 others seriously damaged.
On Friday night, Willebroeck was bombed. There are 10 dead, 200 houses damaged.
On Saturday in the morning, English planes machine-gunned travellers trains in Eastern Flanders.
In Erembodegem, 2 persons have been badly wounded. …