Elewijt Schiplakenbos

In and around the Schiplakenbos, the gruesome battle of Schiplaken was fought during World War I. This battle is described poignantly in Stefan Hertmans' book, War and Turpentine: "Gathering was blown into the depths of the forest. Everywhere men struggled to get to their feet, like golems breaking free from the clay, stumbling over the bodies of their dead companions. Shivering, numb, stiff from the back pain and with scabs of mud on our uniforms, we stood in a sloppy line, half leaning on our guns. The encirclement appeared to be broken, it was a mystery why. Apparently the Germans had other concerns than our second line regiment. We carefully left the forest, in rows of five and per battalion."

Dromos