The heavy skirmishes in Oost- and Westmalle are part of a larger scale battle that took place from january 11th till january 14th 1814. A Prussian-Russian army corps tried to capture the harbor and city of Antwerp and later to invade the Belgian region. Napoleon immediately understood that loosing the port would open the door for the English fleet. He sended the elite force ‘Jeune Garde’ commanded by ‘iron general’ François Roguet at the Dutch-Belgian border to diverge the attack.
These series of heavy fighting in the city of Hoogstraten (Highstreet) and surrounding villages Wuustwezel, Loenhout, Meer, Minderhout, Wortel, Rijkevorsel, Brecht, Westmalle and Oostmalle are named ‘the battle of Hoogstraten’ after the only place of some importance in that time.
Even a detachment of the famous ‘Red Lancers’ fought with Prussian Uhlans in Strijbeek and
Hoogstraten. In and around the city it came to a full scale battle in the afternoon of january 11th with many casualties.
The siege of Breda and the battle of Hoogstraten are the most important incidents in 1814 on Dutch and Belgian soil. Till this day artefacts are found on the ‘forgotten’ battlefield. The book ‘ between Breda and Antwerp’, written by historian Jan Huijbrechts, will be a interesting reference book. We hope that all scientific work is finished in 2009 and published in the book.
For the first time in 195 years an official memorial will take place in coöperation with the city of Hoogstraten and Belgian authorities. We hope that this event will be the trigger for an event in 2014 with the cities of Antwerp and Breda in a major role.
Parade:
Five coaches will transport hundreds of participants 10 km to Hoogstraten to hold a short parade of 1,5 km on the main road ‘Vrijheid’ (translated Freedom), in the centre. After the parade a reception is offered by the people of Hoogstaten in the 17th century beguinage.
This memorial will be held under massive attention of the local public and press. It’s actually the very first time that a napoleonic service on this scale is organised in Flanders. 
Programme:
Soon the detailed programme will be shown on this website. It will last about two hours.
The maire of Hoogstraten and other authorities are contacted on this moment.
We hope that the associations and particularly their musicians can offer a tremendous performance. Maybe a military music chappel will precede the parade.
The participation of cavalery and artillery will contribute positively this event. We hope that at least one piece of artillery will be placed in Hoogstraten. A detachment of French and Allied Troops will be pointed to fire salute shots.
Five coaches will transport hundreds of participants 10 km to Hoogstraten to hold a short parade of 1,5 km on the main road ‘Vrijheid’ (translated Freedom), in the centre. After the parade a reception is offered by the people of Hoogstaten in the 17th century beguinage.
This memorial will be held under massive attention of the local public and press. It’s actually the very first time that a napoleonic service on this scale is organised in Flanders.