#Story
From Bells to Bullets
The town of Lochem was not spared during the requisitioning of church bells in the Second World War. One morning in January 1943, the Lochem carillon played “Hollands vlag, je bent mijn glorie” (“Dutch flag, you are my glory”) for the last time.
Shortly afterwards, the 27 bronze bells, with a combined weight of around 5,000 kilograms, were taken down. They were transported to Germany, where they were melted down to be turned into bullets and cannons. Three of the larger bells that had also been taken were returned intact after the war. Today, they chime every half hour to mark the passing of time. Some of the church bells, removed by the occupiers, were returned after the liberation.They had been stored in Tilburg.