Battle of Grijzestad (1941)

Background
On May 20 1941 Germany invaded Crete and a few hours later they did the same to Brunant. A few paratroopers were landed in Chester and Sint-Anders Parish, many having landed near Charles Town.

Initial German attack
On the 22nd German troops moved to take control of Grijzestad. The surrounding countryside fell easily and the town was reached by early morning. The Germans began a massive artillery barrage which raged on for 20 minutes. Afterwards, German armored units easily entered the town.

Brunanter resistance
Soldiers stationed in the citadel attempted to fire back at the Germans with its 19th century cannons. Though able to slow down the attack somewhat, they could not hold back the armored columns. Men took whatever weapons they had and attempted to fight back, and even the town's small military museum was emptied so that its weapons could be of use.

Final German attack
By noon there were 8000 German troops pouring into the city. Later, paratroopers were parachuted onto the fort and manage to take control. By 3 P.M. around 550 Brunanter soldiers had surrendered and at 4:20 Lt. Col. Hans van Kamp surrndered. Over 100 Brunanter soldiers died in the battle and countless more civilians perished in the attack, to the cost of only 169 German dead.