An emotional proclamation from the Belgian Independence Front calling on resistance fighters to prepare for an imminent German raid and mass arrests, to hide, escape, and continue the struggle against the Nazi occupier, paying any price required until victory. [Belgium, c. 1944]. A rare underground finding from the months when Belgium fought to free itself from the Nazi yoke.
The proclamation reads:
“Active and reserve officers, senior officials, political officers, judges, lawyers, doctors, industrialists, the Independence Front addresses you today specifically to warn you of the impending danger hovering over you. Be aware that the Germans have decided on a massive hostage raid and the arrest of many officers for January 26. We can tell you that these measures have been postponed until around February 15. The Germans expect the creation of the second front. Rightly or wrongly, they fear seeing you play an active role in the general uprising movement that will soon rise our country against oppression. A blow to the head, they hope, will dismantle the resistance organization, at a moment when it would prove most effective and most dangerous for them. In this, they are mistaken. The stubborn and patient struggle waged for years by the Independence Front has brought thousands and thousands of patriots to the cause of liberation.
Our organizational form allows us to escape sudden and extensive repressive measures. Moreover, to prevent a national uprising, they intend to deprive a large number of citizens of their freedom, who will pay with their lives for any action directed against them… The death penalties and mass deportations of recent weeks prove that these threats are not empty words. In Antwerp, Mons Blesmes, the Germans have captured many under false pretenses. In Brussels, on the night of February 4, a large number of active non-commissioned officers were arrested in their homes, in several municipalities. It is your duty to escape the trap that the enemy is setting for you… Do not allow him to carry out this shameless extortion. You have no time to lose… Find shelter with trusted friends where you can spend the night. Summon the courage to give up some comfort, a few convenient habits. Think of the thousands of rebels who, in much less favorable conditions, did not hesitate to go underground… Do not let the consideration of possible reprisals against your families hold you back. The Germans are no longer capable of acting… the police are reduced to a minimum, their blood is constantly flowing through the open wound of the Eastern Front… Never forget that we are at war and that it is your duty to stand by those who fight to liberate oppressed Belgium. Officers and non-commissioned officers, join the partisan army, which unites patriots of all tendencies determined to fight with weapons in hand against the occupier. And to all who read our appeal, do not be deterred by the enemy’s blows… Join the ranks of the Independence Front… Everyone united for the liberation of the homeland! The Independence Front.”
Front de l’Indépendance (FI) – One of the most significant resistance organizations that operated in Belgium during World War II. The resistance movement was founded in March 1941 by Doctor Albert Marteaux (a member of the Belgian Communist Party), Father André Boland, and Fernand Demany (also a Communist). The purpose of this organization was to bring together Belgian resistance fighters of all opinions and tendencies. During the war, the National Committee of the Independence Front brought together representatives of numerous resistance organizations. Thanks to these various organizations and the help of the SOE, which provided them with silenced pistols in 1943 allowing them to eliminate targets discreetly, the Independence Front established sabotage operations, escape chains, a forged documents service, and distributed one hundred and fifty different underground publications such as the flyer before us. In 1942-1943, the Independence Front was originally behind Victor Martin’s mission to Auschwitz. This sociologist returned with a report on the fate of Jews deported from Belgium, which allowed the Belgian underground to learn the exact meaning of the deportations. Three thousand Jewish children were hidden and saved in Belgium by the local population.
[1] Leaf printed on both sides. 22×14 cm. Very good condition.
