The Siege of Tilburg: The bombing of Tilburg Zuid

The Siege of Tilburg: The bombing of Tilburg Zuid: "Ringbaan-Zuid Around 4:55 AM the bombardment began on Zuid. The first lasted for two hours. Then a pause of nearly half an hour, and then ..."

The bombing of Tilburg Zuid

Ringbaan-Zuid

Around 4:55 AM the bombardment began on Zuid. The first lasted for two hours. Then a pause of nearly half an hour, and then it started again. That second bombing was nearby. Later it appeared concentrated on the Edisonlaan. As if they forgot to bomb a piece and had to do it again! Fucking crazy!
The same evening it started again. From 6:30 to 11:00 am. I almost lost my mind and I started drawing and sketching as a madman. The first time I nearly went insane cause of the fear. I didn’t even bother the screaming and crying of the neighbors, if you could hear it at all.

The next day I went out to see what damage was inflicted. Near the Generaal Smutslaan I spoke to a girl I knew from Fontys Hogescholen (University college)
- "That sound of the approaching explosion is so scary! The four of us sat huddled in what we thought was the safest part of the apartment. It seemed like we were waiting until we would be shot to pieces, instead of waiting until it would end. "

Ezelvense Akkers, next to Ringbaan-Zuid

At first glance, the Ringbaan-Zuid appeared quite intact. A lot of shattered glass, and some apartments and houses were smoking. That optimism disappeared, when I saw the Edisonlaan. The second bombing was indeed concentrated on the Edisonlaan.
- "They were certain that Burgertroepen hid here! Can you imagine, BURGERTROEPEN! What in hell would be of value to them!?

Edisonlaan

It was the only thing a heavily shocked resident of the neighborhood could tell me. Then he continued cleaning up debris ... For a moment I saw myself in that strange scene.

The Siege of Tilburg: Real locations in Tilburg

The Siege of Tilburg: Real locations in Tilburg: "See the real locations in Tilburg, The Netherlands. Very soon also other photographs that are not posted on the blog. The Siege of Tilburg..."

Real locations in Tilburg

See the real locations in Tilburg, The Netherlands. Very soon also other photographs that are not posted on the blog.


The Siege of Tilburg (Het Beleg van Tilburg) weergeven op een grotere kaart

The Siege of Tilburg: Martin van het Spoor

The Siege of Tilburg: Martin van het Spoor: "In the first period of the siege, the Burgertroepen fought a fierce battle for Zuid and Centrum –Zuid (South and downtown-south). For weeks ..."

Martin van het Spoor

In the first period of the siege, the Burgertroepen fought a fierce battle for Zuid and Centrum –Zuid (South and downtown-south). For weeks they were able to maintain positions. The Burgertroepen were composed of volunteers from about anywhere. Several people of this paramilitary organization, defended the city with their lives.
On the Oude Dijk, some students of the Academie voor Beeldende Vorming (Academy for the Arts), also picked up arms.

Oude Dijk

One of these students was a musician of the Rockacademie (Rock Academy). Martin van het Spoor swapped his instrument for a sniper rifle. For days he prevented troops to enter the building and protect his fellow students and other refugees. He was killed when his spot was shelled with mortars.

Fellow students began working on a memorial for Martin, right below the place where he fought. So far they haven’t been able to finish the painting because of the shootings by other snipers. Below you can see a detail of the monument.

Martin van het Spoor monument

The Siege of Tilburg: Hilvarenbeekseweg

The Siege of Tilburg: Hilvarenbeekseweg: "A-65 viaduct crossing the Hilvarenbeekseweg In Tilburg Zuid, you could hear the rumble of artillery and urban skirmishes in Goirle. This m..."