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Hiding with sister Cornelia


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In November 1944, Moerdijk lies on the front line. Many residents flee, but about 250 civilians seek refuge in the cellars of the convent. Sister Cornelia keeps a diary about the events.

In early November, the 1st Polish Armoured Division had nearly reached its goal in West Brabant: Moerdijk. While the Poles advanced from Terheijden and Zevenbergschenhoek, the US 104th Infantry Division, known as the Timberwolves, also approached from Zevenbergen. The Poles launched heavy artillery fire at Moerdijk. They had to silence the German anti-tank positions near Moerdijk.

Meanwhile, the inhabitants of Moerdijk were subjected to a veritable inferno of grenades and shelling. Many of them were evacuated, but around 250 inhabitants had sought refuge in the cellars of the monastery on the Steenweg.

Sister Cornelia was one of the sisters who helped them. In her diary, she accurately described all events surrounding the liberation that finally came on the 9th of November 1944.