In the SCHOONSELHOF Cemetery there are a large number of military personnel from all services who were killed on 16 December 1944. Remarkably, it appears that a large number of soldiers and airmen were attending a movie at the Rex Cinema when it received a direct hit by a V-2 rocket at 1520 hrs. Does anyone have any further information regarding the attack or know of any survivors? The death toll was 567 casualties to soldiers and civilians, 291 injured and 11 buildings were destroyed. 296 of the dead & 194 of the injured were U.S., British, & Canadian soldiers. This was the single highest death total from one rocket attack during the war in Europe.
I worked with Bill Perry many years ago, him and a couple of mates where going to the cinema but at the sight of the queue thay went for a drink instead. His comment was "best beer I ever had"
There are 201 British and 10 Canadians buried at Schoonselhof who died on that date. It's difficult to establish exact numbers.
I was talking to a chap whose father was invited to the Rex by his four chums. He didn't fancy the film so he declined - all four chums were killed.
A family member Private Harry Griffin of Pontypool Mon. was killed in this incident. My Grandmother kept his photo on the mantlepiece all her life. He is buried in Schoonselhof Cemetery.
Dec. 16, (15.17 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Hellendoorn, Site 400 (Eelerberg - first period), V-2 rocket fired, impacted the crowded Rex Cinema in Antwerp, in the Keyserlei, resulting in 567 casualties to soldiers and civilians, 291 injured and 11 houses were destroyed. 296 of the dead & 194 of the injured were U.S., British, & Canadian soldiers. (This was the single highest death total from one rocket attack during the war in Europe.) V2ROCKET.COM - Timeline of V2 Attacks
good day nick wood.j.m.12th nov 2011 04:38pm.re:antwerp rex cinema v-2 attack 16th dec 1944.i have been reading this old thread with interest,i was in London during the blitz.they started sending v1's v2's rockets.they did damage and caused casualties.it was not nice.but the rex cinema was deverstating,to all who died that day,may they rest in peace,regards bernard85.
Dear all, I am looking for witness stories (interviews, memoirs, diaries...) of Allied (mostly American and British) soldiers who came to Belgium to help defend the cities Antwerp, Brussels and Liège against the V1 flying bombs. During the V-war in Belgium (1944-1945) 6448 Belgian civilians and 882 Allied soldiers lost their life. I am researching this forgotten story and I also want to give a voice to the soldiers who gave their life defending our people. I want to focus on some specific histories, such as: - The defense program Antwerp X under the command of general Armstrong - Men and women of the Anti-Aircraft units who got the job to shoot down as many V1's as possible - Pilots who did the same job in the air - Allied soldiers who were victims of V-bombings in Belgium, such as the V2 on Cinema Rex the 16th of december 1944, where 296 Allied soldiers died. 271 died, which brings the total to 567 deads by a single rocket. It was the most deadly V-bombing ever. Also other witness stories are welcome. Thanks, Pieter Serrien Belgian historian and writer pieter.serrien@gmail.com www.pieterserrien.be
On my website I've written an article on the Cine Rex bombing. Unfortunnaly it is in Dutch, but maybe for some... http://pieterserrien.be/2014/12/16/zeventig-jaar-geleden-v-bom-op-cinema-rex/
Hi Peter. I just found out yesterday that my grandfather, Sargeant John Devlin, US Army, received a commendation from the city of Antwerp for heading into the wreckage of the Rex Cinema and rescuing several souls. He continued into the Ardennes Forest and his unit was responsible for seizing a German train carrying supplies (most importantly fuel) and rerouting it back to the Allies. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1983 but he did speak of holding a gun to the train conductor's head to my uncle once. I would love to learn more about this. If you can point me to any resources in English. Happy to provide more personal info on my grandfather if you would like.
Dec. 16, (15.17 hours) - Batt. SS 500, Hellendoorn, Site 400 (Eelerberg - first period), V-2 rocket fired, impacted the crowded Rex Cinema in Antwerp, in the Keyserlei, resulting in 567 casualties to soldiers and civilians, 291 injured and 11 houses were destroyed. 296 of the dead & 194 of the injured were U.S., British, & Canadian soldiers. (This was the single highest death total from one rocket attack during the war in Europe.) V2ROCKET.COM - Timeline of V2 Attacks
Two men from 23rd Hussars killed on that day. 14438494 Trooper George Derek Hansom and 14287442 Trooper Charles Victor Jolliffe RIP lads
