The Coins That Endangered and Saved a Soldier’s Life in World War One

 

In the brutal and chaotic world of World War One, the difference between life and death often came down to split-second decisions, luck, or in the case of one Belgian soldier, a handful of coins. The story of Optatius Buyssens, a Belgian volunteer who narrowly escaped death, is one that encapsulates the unpredictability of war and the bizarre role that fate can play in a soldier's survival.

Optatius Buyssens' tale is a remarkable one that begins with his strong desire to serve his country despite being medically unfit for military service. Originally barred from joining the Belgian army due to a heart condition, Optatius refused to let this setback deter him. Eventually, he managed to volunteer for the war effort, determined to contribute in any way he could to the defense of his homeland. Little did he know that his journey would involve a series of events so peculiar that they would be retold by his descendants for generations.

 A Moment of Peril

The incident that would define Optatius' war experience occurred on September 26, 1914, in the Belgian town of Lebbeke. The early months of the war were a period of intense fighting as both sides struggled for control. For soldiers like Optatius, every movement, every sound could mean the difference between life and death.

Optatius found himself in a precarious situation on the battlefield, attempting to remain hidden from the advancing enemy forces. However, it was the innocent sound of coins clinging together in his breast pocket that betrayed his position to a nearby German soldier. The metallic clink of the coins caught the attention of the enemy, and within moments, a shot rang out. The bullet, aimed directly at Optatius' chest, should have ended his life then and there. But fate had other plans.

 The Miraculous Deflection

In what can only be described as a miraculous twist of fate, the bullet that was intended to kill Optatius instead struck the coins in his breast pocket. The coins absorbed the impact of the bullet, deflecting it away from his vital organs and sparing his life. The very same coins that had endangered him by giving away his position had now become his shield, protecting him from what should have been a fatal wound.

Optatius, however, was not out of danger yet. The German soldier who fired the shot approached him, seeing that he had fallen. As was common in the ruthless combat of World War One, the enemy soldier delivered a vicious kick to Optatius' head, likely intending to ensure that he was truly dead. But Optatius, using his wits, played dead, tricking the German soldier into thinking his task was complete. The German soldier eventually moved on, leaving Optatius lying on the battlefield.

 A Fight for Survival

Though he had narrowly escaped death, Optatius was still in a dire situation. Alone, wounded, and surrounded by enemy forces, his chances of survival seemed slim. Yet, Optatius was not one to give up easily. After the German soldier left, he managed to find another wounded comrade, and together, the two men began the arduous process of crawling to safety. The journey was undoubtedly painful and fraught with danger, but their determination and the will to survive kept them going.

Miraculously, Optatius and his comrade reached safety, defying the odds stacked against them. His incredible story of survival, aided by a handful of coins, would become a cherished family legend, passed down from generation to generation.

 The Aftermath

After the war, Optatius faced ongoing health challenges, exacerbated by the toll that both his wartime experience and his pre-existing heart condition had taken on his body. The wounds he sustained during the war, both physical and emotional, would remain with him for the rest of his life. Yet, despite these challenges, he lived for several decades after the war, passing away in 1958. The story of his miraculous survival, however, continued to be told by his descendants, ensuring that his legacy lived on.

His grandson, Phillippe, preserved the story of the coins that saved his grandfather's life. Phillippe still has the coins that were in Optatius' pocket on that fateful day—three from Belgium and three from France. These coins serve as a tangible reminder of the extraordinary luck and resilience that allowed Optatius to survive one of the darkest periods in human history.

 A Symbol of Survival and Resilience

The story of Optatius Buyssens and the coins that both endangered and saved his life is a poignant reminder of the randomness of war and the fine line between life and death. It also highlights the resilience of the human spirit, the will to survive against all odds, and the sometimes miraculous interventions that can occur in the most unexpected ways.

For Optatius and his family, those coins are more than just pieces of metal; they are symbols of survival, a testament to his courage and determination, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.