AARSCHOT STEDELIJKE BEGRAAFPLAATS

AARSCHOT (VLAAMS BRABANT)

by Patrick De Wolf  (Belgian War Graves website)

21 miles NE of Brussels. The cemetery is located just outside the town centre on the Hersseltse Steenweg.
Of the 92 burials in this cemetery, 61 are of those who died on 19th August 1914. On that day the Belgian army retreated to the fortified town of Antwerpen, and Aarschot (located on the river Demer) was an important intersection of main roads.
In an effort to slow the German advance it was decided to make a short stand at Aarschot. The fighting starts at 5 o'clock in the morning and after 1½ hours the order to retreat is given. One company of the 9é Linieregiment under the command of Capt. Gilson never receives this order and they hold on against overwhelming numbers for another 2 hours, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. 38 members of the  9é Linieregiment are buried at Aarschot.

After the taking of Aarchot the Germans camp on the town square and the officers are billeted in private houses. While watching his troops from the balcony of the mayor's house Generalmajor Stenger is hit by a 'stray' bullet. Immediately a shout is heard "Zivilisten habben geschossen!" and in the following days 169 man, woman and children are executed and the centre of the town plundered and burned down.

Records 92 Belgian (20 of which are Unknown) burials.

Memorial to 4é Linieregiment 1é Batn 4é Cie