De Draad
Posted by: 
naj16
N 50° 44.748 E 005° 53.741
31U E 704279 N 5625556
This memorial commemorates the electric fence, build in the First World War in occupied Belgium to prevent escaping to the Netherlands.
Waymark Code: WMG1P3
Location: Limburg, Belgium
Date Posted: 01/02/2013
Views: 15
‘De Draad,’ also called ‘dodendraad’ or ‘dodenhek’ was erected during the First World War by the German occupiers in Belgium along the border of Netherlands and Belgium. This wire barrier was under high voltage and had to prevent citizens from Belgium - the war zone – to escape to the neutral Netherlands. Also the occupier tried to prevent that spionage reports reached the center of the Netherlands-based allied intelligence services and that war volunteers from Belgium would escape to England, to join the western front.
The 1.5 to 3 meters high wire ran from Vaals to Knokke. The fence was realized in 1915. At the fence there was high voltage. Who touched the wire was therefore immediately dead. Most of the victims consisted of spies, smugglers, German deserters, Belgian refugees and careless citizens. Almost every day there was written in the newspaper about someone who was ‘doodgebliksemd.’ It is estimated that more than 800 victims died at the wire.
For the Netherlands the Wire was a guarantee of neutrality and also confirms that around the Netherlands during the "Great War" there was such an unsafe situations, that people tried to escape.
Hundreds of refugees have managed to escape to the Netherlands by wooden barrels, a wooden bicycle rim, a home-made passeursraam, or using other non conductive objects.
Except warning and (historical) advisory boards, there is nothing left of this barrier
Date the Monument or Memorial was built or dedicated: 01/01/1920
Private or Public Monument?: Private
Name of the Private Organization or Government Entity that built this Monument: Cte d'Oultremont
Geographic Region where the Monument is located: Europe
Website for this Monument: [Web Link]
Physical Address of Monument:
Rue de Beusdael
Rue du chateau
Sippenaeken, Belgium
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