History
In the first war months of 1914 the Germans focus their attacks on the French troops and that front is then put under heavy pressure. The Belgian army command decides to launch two major attacks from the Antwerp stronghold towards eastern Brabant, with varying degrees of success.
In order to disrupt train traffic on the Brussels-Mons line, small sabotage groups are formed. Given the great danger involved in the task, they consist entirely of volunteers. They use bicycles and shortcuts to reach the railway line, and manage to blow it up. However, the damage is insufficient to disrupt train traffic permanently. The Germans frequently use the line for the supply of their war equipment and therefore do everything in their power to eliminate as many sabotage group members as possible. No less than fifteen of them die and are buried in the Masnuy-Saint-Pierre municipal cemetery after the war. Nine other men, who fall in other places, are interred there as well.
Casualties
24 First World War (8 unidentified)
Description
The cemetery is located some 200 metres from the village centre and is enclosed by a red brick wall with a roadside gate. The honours court occupies the central part of the cemetery. The graves, arranged in two arches, face the cemetery entrance.
A central cross, inaugurated by Prince Charles on 10 September 1926, commemorates the fallen.