During World War II, the Nazis used the Dossin Barracks as an assembly camp for nearly 26,000 Jews, Roma and Sinti. Planned train transports took them to Auschwitz-Birkenau, an extermination camp in Poland. Only 5 per cent survived the camp.

On 31 July 1944, the last transport left. Immediately, the Germans planned new raids. They wanted to transfer all remaining Jews to the barracks. No one should be spared!

The advancing Allied army threw a spanner in the German plans. By the end of August, the German retreat was in full swing. Meanwhile, in the barracks, tension rose. The rumour of a general deportation and liquidation spread. Some inmates were desperately preparing to fight. The Germans feared an uprising and reinforced surveillance ...

The uprising in Dossin failed to materialise. On 3 September, the Germans hastily evacuated the barracks. The more than 550 remaining detainees were left to their fate. On 4 September, Mechelen was liberated. The city celebrated! Like many detainees, Jewish Hélène Beer's joy was short-lived: 'The 27th transport did not leave, but the others, all the others ...'.

Tourist information

www.visitmechelen.be