Bombs on the Roman Catholic Church and presbytery
28 January 1945

Pastor Christianus Franciscus Bonifacius van Rooyen
Born 13 February 1876 – Deceased 28 January 1945
R.C. Cemetery Piet Heinstraat, grave C 1-1

Johanna Maria Klein-Rouwelder
Born 23 February 1879 – Died 1 February 1945
R.C. Cemetery Piet Heinstraat, grave A 13-12

Peter Waldmann
Born 21 November 1924 – Died 29 January 1945
Grave unknown

Bombs on the Roman Catholic Church and the presbytery
It is Sunday, January 28, 1945. This afternoon some Jabos (allied fighter-bombers) suddenly break through the cloud cover and drop their bomb load. On Kemena, Admiraal de Ruijterstraat and Stationsstraat, it remains material damage.

It is worse at the R.C. church. A bomb falls in front of the church and one on the rectory. Many people are present in the church during the Praise. Panic strikes and the air pressure causes statues to collapse from the niches and walls to collapse. But the churchgoers, be it covered in dust and many under bruises and abrasions, are released with a fright. In front of the main entrance of the church is a huge bomb crater. The bomb that hit the Rectory has more serious consequences. The priest’s housekeeper, the 57-year-old Johanna Maria Klein-Rouwelder, was seriously injured and died a few days later (1 February 1945) in the emergency hospital in Harreveld. The second maid, Betsie Uffink, was slightly injured in her leg.

Pastor Christianus Franciscus Bonifatius van Rooyen (68 years old) is killed and is not found until hours later in the night.
A little later, a German non-commissioned officer was found. Despite the fact that his terrible agony could be heard, he could not be brought out alive from under the rubble. This German named Peter Waldmann, was the caretaker and driver of Oberst Adler, who was also injured.

Pastor van Rooyen was a popular person, not only with his parishioners, but also with the Jewish inhabitants he commanded a lot of respect. When he met Jewish fellow citizens during his walks with his faithful shepherd, he took off his hat and gave his greeting with a slight bow. His death also affected residents of other denominations and the funeral took place with great interest.

Sources:
Sint Helena’s Ommegang, author: Hans de Beukelaer
Aalten in Wartime, author: J.G. ter Horst
Hans de Beukelaer: The bombardment of 28 January 1945 (Kerkvenster 20.03.20)
Photo German non-commissioned officer: © Collection Westendorp
© Collection National Hiding Museum Aalten

Pastor Christianus Franciscus Bonifacius van Rooyen
13 February 1876 – 28 January 1945
R.C. Cemetery Piet Heinstraat, grave C 1-1

Johanna Maria Klein-Rouwelder
23 February 1879 – 1 February 1945
R.C. Cemetery Piet Heinstraat, grave A 13-12

Peter Waldmann, non-commissioned officer in the German army
21 November 1924 – 29 January 1945
Grave unknown