Tram bridge Vogelfort

The tram bridge is located at the junction of the waterways of the Vogelkreek and the old port of Hulst, popularly called "d'Aof". The bridge is situated between Vogelfort and Hengstdijk. The tram bridge was located on the Drieschouwen- Kloosterzande tram line. The line was opened in 1916 by the ZTVM (Zeeuwsch-Vlaamsche-Tramweg-Maatschappij). In Kloosterzande, the line merged with the Hulst-Walsoorden tram line. In Drieschouwen there was a connection to Moerbeke and Sas van Gent (Sugar Factories).

During the Second World War, the Germans had started transporting prisoners of war from Sas van Gent, Moerbeke and Hulst to Walsoorden haven from 30 May 1940. This was done with trainsets, consisting of open wagons, sometimes even running with two locomotives in front carriage. By 4 June, 52290 men had been transported in this way. In Walsoorden the prisoners of war were shipped to Germany. On September 20, 1944, Vogelfort was briefly front-lined. It is the last day of the German occupation for the land of Hulst. A moving Polish tank and a retreating German bus meet and a firefight ensues. The barns of two neighboring farms go up in flames. The tram bridge survived the war years well.

Source: BN De Stem G.Sponselee

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