Open letter addressed directly to the German military governor, General von Falkenhausen (Commander of Belgium and Northern France) – accusing him of war crimes, looting, poverty, abductions, and violence. Dated 10 August 1941 – fifteen months after the German invasion of Belgium (May 1940), at the height of the occupation. Signed: “La Belgique Enchaînée” – “Enslaved Belgium”, a symbolic name used by the resistance movement. A rare document reflecting the spirit of civilian and moral resistance of the Belgian people in 1941, at a time when large parts of Europe were already under Nazi rule. In French.
General Alexander von Falkenhausen was the German military governor of Belgium and Northern France from 1940 to 1944. He was considered relatively moderate compared to other Nazi officials, but nevertheless oversaw deportations, executions, arrests, and forced conscription.
The letter addresses him directly:
“Monsieur le Général,
We address you, and through you – all those who have committed crimes against us in the service of your Nazi master. It has been 15 months since you obeyed a criminal order – to invade, to murder, and to wrong a small nation that had never harmed you. Your “Führer, ” who stole the trust of the German people – but who will soon become hated and cursed – appointed you to “watch over us.” This “protection” of yours, incidentally, was never needed. Since 10 May 1940, you invaded with tanks, Stukas, and fighter planes, and slaughtered thousands – people fleeing your barbarism.
For 15 months you have tried to break our spirit – through bribes, propaganda, threats. You sought our collaboration with the Reich – and you failed. Prices have soared (by as much as 500%), wages have dropped, shop windows are empty, hundreds of thousands of our workers were conscripted for forced labor, many have died. Families were torn apart – women left without husbands, children without parents. You brought us poverty, death, disease, and slavery. And we – we were once a free people. And today, after you have destroyed liberty, you now protect only a minority of traitors…
You have tried to suppress our resistance, but in vain. The resistance will continue – quietly, persistently…
The Belgian people, of every stripe (Socialists, Catholics, Liberals, Communists), are united in their love of freedom and independence.
We warn you:
If any harm comes to our imprisoned brothers – we will hold you accountable.
For a single hair from their heads – you will pay with your own.
For a single tooth – with your teeth.
For their lives – with your own skin.
When the great Reich collapses – we will find you, Mr. von Falkenhausen, and we will repay you in full.
You and your men will pay for your crimes.
Occupied Belgium does not salute you.
At the bottom of the leaflet appears the note:
“Do not throw away this leaflet – pass it on to your friends.
Reproduce it. Help us. Thank you!”
After the end of the German occupation and Germany’s surrender, Falkenhausen was arrested and interrogated by the Allied forces. He was extradited to Belgium, where he stood trial in 1951 for war crimes. He was found guilty, but due to his relatively moderate conduct and opposition to the SS, he was sentenced to only 12 years in prison. He was released after approximately three years, in 1953, and returned to Germany. He died in 1966.
[1] leaf. Printed on both sides. Very good condition.
