Monument in memory of Belgian soldiers who died in air service War memorial

Never forget the sacrifices made at the Monument in memory of Belgian soldiers who died in air service War memorial. This monument, located in Evere Communal Cemetery in Brussels, stands as a poignant tribute to the brave Belgian airmen who perished during World War II. The cemetery holds 215 graves. Around 30 of these are symbolic, representing airmen whose remains were never recovered. The monument itself is an obelisk with large wings. A sword is featured on the central part. Engraved on the front are Churchill’s famous words after the Battle of Britain: “Never in the clashes between people were so many to so few owe so much”. This inscription is in three languages. The Monument in memory of Belgian soldiers who died in air service War memorial has a unique and touching origin story. On the very first day of the war, May 10, 1940, Lieutenant pilot Etienne Dufossez bravely shot down a German plane. Sadly, he was also shot down. His mother, deeply affected by her son’s sacrifice, dedicated herself to supporting the families of other fallen airmen. She envisioned a dedicated resting place for all Belgian airmen lost in the war. After years of persistence, she secured permission and funding for a plot in Evere Communal Cemetery. The repatriation of bodies from across Europe took place from 1948 to 1950. The official inauguration on September 18, 1950, saw 215 graves assembled, including the symbolic ones. Originally marked with metal crosses, the graves were updated in 1996 with beige marble tombstones. The Monument in memory of Belgian soldiers who died in air service War memorial stands as a testament to their bravery and the enduring gratitude of the Belgian people. The site itself was officially recognized as a military cemetery in 2005. It continues to be a place of remembrance and reflection.