Drama Wolfenbttel

In Lichtervelde below the church stands a monument terherinnering the executed political prisoners.
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It was on June 15, 1944 that the Lichterveldsestraat mayor and accordion builder Eugeen Callewaert along
with twelve
Lichterveldsestraat Resistance men were beheaded in Wolfenbttel in Northern Germany.

On the local political front prevailed in Lichtervelde anno 1939, after decades of bitter struggle, only
peace. Callewaert mayor seemed to be well on its way to the consensus figure who had the town
desperately needed. The fledgling VNV had to attend any say in the matter. The Munich conference in
1938 and the invasion of Poland in 1939, sowed doubt about the good intentions of Germany. A new war
was possible but the modal Lichtervelde to did not see it directly in black. A reissue of 1914-18 seemed
impossible.
On May 28, 1940, just hours after the surrender, withdraw German troops triumphantly Lichtervelde
inside. The battle is over, they are the victors and they do not present themselves as a motley crew. Played
friendly, courteous to. Anyone expecting to unbridled soldiery will be disappointed. With that men can talk.
As heretics taught but they wandered.
Germany would conquer the world, few who doubted it but for security reasons remained silent mattered.
The population learned about the New Order in all facets. Gradually the outstretched hand was a
stranglehold with all kinds of regulations which went from petty to serious intervention procedures.
In March 1941, the 60-year-old vessels Emeric Maenhout had to make way for a VNV'er. Rationing was
more painful by the day and the number of prohibitions grew exponentially. A year later ships Louis
Debaeke and mayor Eugeen Callewaert removed from office for at least obscure, if not suspicious reasons.
Their successors were members of the CNS or confidants of the Third Reich.
The VNV grew steadily and set himself up as the designated operator of the New Order. The
Lichterveldsestraat community looked upon this development with dismay. Living under occupation and be
enslaved their own people could not. Resistance is inevitable.
Rail and post men found each other in the vicinity of the station quarter. Omer Vermandele, local agents of
the Bank of Brussels, in 1914-18 already and Alfons Demauw involved in the resistance, insurance agent,
the beacon set in the village center. Farmers in the north and south of the village grew towards a local,
limited core. Doctor Louis had Debaeke patients everywhere manifested itself as a real propagandist of the
young and budding resistance. His zeal was boundless, many sincere heartfelt warnings notwithstanding.
On Saturday, December 6, 1941 shall be convened under the guise of the Red Cross for about 40 candidate
Resistance fighters. Reserve Lieutenant Marcel Vanderhaeghen from Roeselare talks about the creation of a
HIB, Help and Information Bureau, whatever that means. He remains extremely vague on the concrete
objectives of the movement, but the audience think they understand that he wants to pave the path for an
effective resistance movement.
In retrospect opinions are at least divided. A dangerous undertaking, much too dangerous and they think
some hooks. The diehards will continue, if necessary with risks.
The core of the Belgian Legion, later Secret Army is in full development. The Black Brigade in
Lichtervelde find in the White Brigade a hidden counterpart. The embryonic cells are expanded to full
sections. Some administration seems necessary and the names of the members are listed carefully, much to
the chagrin of the group leaders.
The purpose of the movement is limited in the first instance. No spectacular sabotage, no terror, we keep
ready the liberators as much as possible to assist in the forthcoming (sic) allied invasion and after the war
to restore the disturbed order in the village. A plan in which the majority of the members may find
themselves.
For the implementation, however minimal reinforcement is needed. A personal weapon is a must. Without
a weapon you can not enforce authority in wartime. Many members were already in possession of a pistol
or a rifle, found after the capitulation in May 1940. Others were diligently looking for "something" and
also willing to pay a lot of money. Once in possession of it so fiercely coveted jewel took pride in the
common sense and some naive of them let themselves sometimes tempted some bragging about their
acquisition. A folly which they will pay later with their lives.
In mid-1942, so alive, not always strictly clandestine resistance in Lichtervelde and was also done to the
arms trade. Although not in industrial quantities, no, just dealt with a certain profit margin for sellers.

Then came pastor and cop Kaumont on stage. Born of a mixed marriage, Walloon mother and German
father, he worked simultaneously for the Catholic Church in Lasne (Walloon Brabant) and the Gestapo in
Brussels. He drops to Lichtervelde and meet consciously Gaston Maertens, whom he met during the
mobilization. He buys some comestible on the black market and learn in passing that there are weapons
being traded.
Within a short time there is a net stretched around Maertens and his henchmen. The list of Kaumont right
down to the smallest detail. The weapon he wants to buy can be delivered at an inn in Torhout on Saturday,
July 25th, 1942 at 9 am. Concealed drawn Feldgendarmen attack the inn and Maertens and his friend
Theophiel Pannecoucke be promptly beaten in chains. In the course of the day, the Torhoutse section, to the
extent that there was already organization, professional rolled up.
The bad news from Torhout spreads in Lichtervelde like wildfire. The resulting unrest decreases when it is
known that it is only going Torhout Egyptians. There Lichtervelde has nothing to do with it. What is
thought-voting is that someone knows that Dr. Debaeke does have connections with Maertens. It is now
very serious.
The coup of July 25 is no longer an isolated event. A few days later Lichtervelde turn. No mass arrests,
only individuals are arrested by the Gestapo and the folks in the street know or can not guess why. The top
of the resistor suspects danger and convene an emergency meeting to assess the state of tension and to calm
things down. No, the Germans know nothing about our activities, names are not known, we keep our heads
down and continue the storm will be located. Nothing is less true. The population is silent but realizes that
the White Brigade, whoever that may be, under heavy fire.
Six weeks of relative silence pass until Friday, September 18th, the bomb explodes. And to the twenty
arrests in a span of 48 hours. The municipality is perplexed. All the arrested villagers are good people who
do not hurt a fly. What carries the Gestapo in the shield? That is not possible! In a few days they all
returned home.
No one came home. In early October followed the aftermath of some arrests. Through the prison of
Roeselare the majority was transferred to the New Walk in Ghent. Around New Year a few men were
released. They abstained from commenting. "We have done nothing wrong, we hold more can not." Their
fellow prisoners, they were able to tell very little to nothing.
During the interrogations, somewhere in a luxurious villa in a better neighborhood of Ghent, the men dealt
harshly. It is beaten, kicked and tortured confessions to follow. A thorough approach. With a lot of luck, a
brief visit down there sometimes. A pack with some food and clothes may also, if the board is in a good
mood. The prisoners convince their families that it will not last so long before they are released again. It
turned out to be wishful thinking.
In late January the detainees get Lichtervelde and their immediate environment citizen stuff back for
transport to the Bruges Pandreitje. A guard tells them that they need to process. What process, whose
process, the process? Be sentenced them there? No, they are only called as a witness in the case against the
brothers Packet from Torhout accused of arms trafficking. Perhaps they also had relationships with
Lichterveldsestraat White Brigade?
A measure of anything. Hardly anyone knows the three brothers personally, just the name, nothing more.
Jules and Marcel Packet sentenced to death and the execution follows on September 2, 1943 in Oostakker.
It is curious that are conceived with lighter sentences some Lichtervelde Spikes after handling the case
Packet and they will reach the end of the war.
Their second stay at the Ghent Nieuwewandeling is short-lived. The transport to the prison of Bochum has
already been settled. In mid-February they travel eastward, in pitiful conditions, on bread and water. Stool
and pees happen in a corner of the railway carriage.
Prison life in Bochum is unbearable. The greatest danger comes from outside. To bombarded at every turn,
the city is hiding and is excluded from the cell occupants. For everyone's safety will be evacuated residents
of the prison.

Papenburg is the new terminal. Papenburg drag the prisoners to the camp of Esterwegen. Esterwegen is a
break in the dreary existence of the last few months? The Lichterveldsestraat entente gets good marks from
the camp guard and that leads to some meager privileges. She is reserved kitchen and garden work. In the
kitchen is sometimes a little extra to decorate: a carrot, French fries, an onion and so on. With those few
supplemental vitamins they keep their heads above water.
They may also have, for the first time in many months, talking with each other. It's not always quiet about
it but to disputes and misunderstandings are cleared and settled. They show understanding for each other's
situation and are willing to forgive. It's okay, they're still not condemned the regime in Esterwegen is all in
all more bearable and that war does not last. Short time they return home to their dear Lichtervelde.
The tragic news of the execution of fellow villager Arsenic Debaillie and Father Raskin, both short-term
peers in Esterwegen, beats like a bomb. They do it anyway! Yes Arsenic and the priest spied for the English
but we did not. If ever there is a process we have to escape the death penalty. To buy a revolvertje twice or
nothing to sell or to be a member of a patriotic movement you will not be condemned to the gallows. Have
minimized the facts no denying the hope of eventual freedom.
The trial comes. On December 21, 1943 will be handed their individual indictment. The essence is the
same for everyone: possession of weapons and / or trading of weapons, membership of a resistance
movement and listening to an English radio station. They have the time to submit a personal defense.
Formally deny that came to light during the hearings in Ghent is difficult, but they will have a chance. Or
something pulls them later see.
On Sunday February 13, 1944 is an open trucks waiting at the entrance of the camp to transfer 17 prisoners
to Learn where the dreaded process will take place. They are clean showered, shaved and clean cut and
stabbed in their civilian suit at home. On Monday, the debates are opened. It is very fast, the indictment is
afgedreund and the interpreter could barely follow. The defendants have no iota of understanding. It does
not look good, they realize. They get no chance to hold consultations.
The next day, the prosecutor of the word which demands the death penalty for each case. The last hope is
based on the assigned lawyer. That man knows only the file and neither fewer people. He says that they had
no bad intentions and that they have regrets about their actions. Treason, not militia and favoring the enemy
are all sentenced to death. The verdict is irreversible, appeal is not possible.
They are locked up immediately in strict isolation on their return to the camp of Esterwegen. Contact with
the outside world can not, even though the painful conviction will leak anyway. A few days after the trial
their stay in Esterwegen is over. Open trucks they are transferred to the prison in Lingen for solitary
confinement. The last bit of hope is a request for mercy if there ever comes.
Through a warder they learn that a transport planned for March 22, 1944 direction Wolfenbttel. Hilaire
Demeyer knew whispering during the trial in Leer which are carried out in Wolfenbuttel actual death
sentences. He stayed there for six months and knows the ins and outs of prison.
They are there by one or two locked in the cells where the ground all day is eerily quiet. The comfort is
better than in other prisons. They can keep themselves busy with small jobs if they so desire. Chaplain
Unverhau even a friend of the family of the Lichtervelde Spikes. They can always trust him speak. On the
landing of the Allies in Normandy on June 6, 1944 shows the chaplain not comment. They will understand
why. If the British and Americans are approaching with giant strides, is deliverance might still. Really
believe in that stunt, however, they do not.
The day on which executions are carried out, there is always swell in prison. The whole population is
nervous at. The voltage is cut, the guards get difficult. All indications are that will not work the guillotine
on Tuesday June 13th. Again won the day. Thursday, June 15 promises to be an ordinary day. During the
morning the prisoners are freed from their shackles. Is heard their mercy request? No, they learn a short
time later after speaking with two officials of the judiciary. Tonight they will be executed at 18 hours with
the guillotine. There they have to take formal note of.

After the afternoon their paper and pen delivered a farewell letter to his family. Later, the last meal is
served, a bowl of porridge with bread. Just before six they are removed from the cells and led to a
basement which serves as a waiting room. From 18 am sharp start minutely timed program. Advance a
final identification. The Registrar confirms that there are no new elements have been put forward and that
the sentence will be executed. For twenty-seven is the job done. Everything perfectly in line with the
German (war) legislation.
Beginning in May 1945 the municipality of Lichtervelde will through various channels, official and
unofficial, to be informed of the drama Wolfenbttel. The mortal remains of 13 in horrific conditions
deceased villagers will be buried on August 24, 1947 at the municipal cemetery of Lichtervelde.
Text provided by Mr Modest Maertens, author of the book "The silent battle of Eugeen Callewaert
Mayor of Lichtervelde" which we thank them.
Additional information:
The Brabant rexistische chaplain Kaumont mid-December 1942 was in Brussels by members of the
Independent Front shot of serious suspicions that he worked for the Gestapo and acted as almoezenier the
Walloon Legion.
The photos and names of the Lichterveldsestraat said behead their age and the right time of their
execution.

Hoorne 25 years
htervelde 22-08-1919
aded at 18:08 pm

Hilaire Demeyer 31 years

B zwevezele 11-09-1913
Beheaded at 18:38 pm

Gaston Maertens 40 years

B zedelgem 08-05-1904
Beheaded at 18.40 pm

Andr Denolf 31 years

B lichtervelde 26-09-1913
Beheaded at 18:42 pm

Georges Baert 30 years

B lichtervelde 15-07-1914
Beheaded om18.54 pm

Albert Craeynest 33
B lichtervelde 15-09Beheaded at 18:56

Theophiel Colpaert 38 years

B lichtervelde 29-04-1906
Beheaded om18.59 pm

Eugeen Callewaert 50 years

mayor Lichtervelde
B lichtervelde 09-06-1894
Beheaded at 19:01 pm

Dr. Louis Debaecke 4

Ships in Lichterve
B alveringem 02-08
Beheaded at 19:03

Gabriel Dewaele 29 years

B lichtervelde 09-09-1915
Beheaded at 19:06 pm

Odiel Moyaert 38 years

B lichtervelde 20-09-1906
Beheaded at 19:13 pm

Gerard Tanghe 24
B torhout 25-04-1
Beheaded at 19:17

Omer Vermandele 49 years

Leader of the resistance (was active in the resistance during World War I)
B lichtervelde 06-101895
Beheaded at 19.20

On June 15, 1944 wrote the thirteen convicted Lichtervelde Egyptians a suicide note. The writings would
never achieve their wives. When the Russians liberated Wolfenbuttel, the letters disappeared in the state
archives of Potsdam. After the fall of the wall the Ghent professor De Graeve spurred them on.

Inscription tomb in the cemetery in Lichtervelde:

"ONE IN THE Stryd - ONE IN DEATH
THE DECAPITATED LICHTERVELDE RESISTANCE TO WOLFENBTTEL
15 JUNI 1944 "
************************************************** *****
Lichterveldsestraat other political prisoners:
Beheaded in Dortmund on October 18, 1943
Debaillie Arsenic
Held in Lichtervelde on 08-08-1942 for espionage and resistance activities.
Killed at Buchenwald on May 5, 1945
Demuynck Octave
Held to Licher Velde on 03-08-1942 due to gun ownership, providing weapons and membership of
resistance.
Wolfenbttel was a prison in Lower Saxony. In the fall of 1943, was appointed an execution place where
those sentenced to death by civilian and military courts with a guillotine were beheaded. From October
1937 until March 15, 1945, more than 700 men and women were executed, including 45 Belgian resistance
fighters