CRAB/RCBL monument

RCBL-CRAB refers to the recruitment centers of the Belgian army established at the outbreak of World War II.

When the Germans invaded Belgium on May 10, 1940, many citizens fled via Poperinge to France, where about 2,000,000 tried to escape the advancing Germans on French roads. The Ministry of Defense immediately called all Belgian youths between the ages of 16 and 35 to arms to create a reserve in case of a prolonged campaign. These conscripts had to make their way on their own to a recruitment center of the Belgian army in Ypres, Roeselare, Eeklo, Binche.... The centers quickly became overcrowded (about 150,000 conscripts), and the youths were sent to France where they faced the problem of congested roads, refugees, and bombings. On May 15, a commander was appointed for this reserve, and without precise orders, the youths were sent to the barracks in Rouen and then to Toulouse. In chaotic circumstances, without proper sanitary facilities and with low morale, they stayed in various French barracks in "youth companies" until they could return home in August. Everyone had bitter memories of this forced exodus, as they could not count on any recognition from the Belgian government, and they were never considered soldiers. RCBL stands for Recruitment Center of the Belgian Army. CRAB means: Centre de Recrutement de l'Armée Belge. In memory of these days in '40, when Poperinge was the access route to France for civilians and many called up CRAB-RCBL, Poperinge unveiled a monument on May 17, 1998, designed by Poperinge resident Lucien De Gheus and made of white steel. The monument is shaped like a cross, with a bas-relief on the front depicting a fleeing young man with a heavily loaded bicycle; the city coat of arms of Poperinge, adorned with hop motifs, decorates the back.

Contact details:
- CRAB/RCBL monument
- Hondstraat, 8970 Poperinge
- Web: www.toerismepoperinge.be

- open for free visit every day
located at the corner of Hondstraat/Gasthuisstraat

- Closing: none

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