History (Source: Wikipedia) 

The authentic execution pole, located in the inner courtyard of the town hall, is a painful reminder of the fate which awaited many so-called ‘deserters’ during the Great War. Most of these frightened men were suffering from shell shock. Soldiers, who were sometimes bombarded for days on end, became near senseless and simply did not know what they were doing. Instead of receiving compassion and understanding, a terrifying example was made of them.

The condemned men spent their last night in the death cell before being shot at dawn on the courtyard. This site was recently renovated. A new complete set up with a direct link between the cells and the pole is making this site more accessible.