The May 20th 1940 Abbeville massacre.

I just read this fascinating story about a mass shooting of (captured by the Belgians) suspects by French a squad on May 20th. Some of these Belgians were suspected pro-Nazi Politicians, but there were also, other civilans and political prisonners, some being absolutely innocent. The Belgian government had jailed 78 belgian suspects in Bruges, but to avoid them from falling in German hands, handed them to the French. These , not knwowing them and not knowing what to do were told they were German spies and were part of the 5th collumn. When Germans started to bomb Abbeville, a Captain and his squad while under German attack ( and possibly under the influence of alcohol) decided to execute the "spies". 21 were shot until a French lower rank officer , Leuitenant Jules Leclabbart managed to stop the massacre by demanding a written order and yelled "are you crazy? "., He saved over 50 prisonners, including Leon Degrelle! To be noted Degrelle had been recognized as a Pro Nazi the day before and a patrol had beaten him up, but he was again saved by an officer. The French Captain committed suicide in 1941 , the officers of the squad were in turn shot by the Germans in 1942.





Degrelle







Among the victims of the1940 kills was Joris van Severen.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joris_Van_Severen

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_d%27Abbeville







Lt Jules Leclabbant who stopped the massacre.





The kiosk were the shootings took place.

 

François Molet, although he was not an officer and had no influence in the matter was shot by the Germans in 1942 . In his last letter he claimed he had not killed a single person and would have chosen to die in battle rather than in disgrace.

http://prisons-cherche-midi-mauzac.com/des-hommes/francois-molet-et-laffaire-des-21-fusilles-du-kiosque-a-musique-dabbeville-14368

 

among the innocents was a German Benedictan monk, the truck driver who transported the victims,an old lady , four Italian anti Fascists and a Canadian Hockey coach who had lost his I.D.

http://prisons-cherche-midi-mauzac.com/des-hommes/francois-molet-et-laffaire-des-21-fusilles-du-kiosque-a-musique-dabbeville-14368
Source : Het bloedbad van Abbeville by Gaby Warris

 

The story is well-known in Belgium and the murder of Van Severen (who was not pro-German) had as result that his "party " (better :movement ) (Verdinaso ) was going in the collaboration .

 

You are right LJad. He was suspected by the Belgian authorities but there were no actual facts againsts him. The Belgians interned him with no real reason in a mere preventive way.

 

Good read. Thanks Skipper.