Antwerpen Herdenkt - Resistance Walk

In late May 1940, Antwerp was occupied for the second time. As in World War I, a small part of the population refuses to submit to German rule. Men and women, French-speaking bourgeoisie and communists, Jews and Catholics, right and left: the resistance is as diverse as the city itself. Antwerp grows into the most important resistance center in Flanders during World War II.

All the major national resistance groups are active there, such as the Independence Front, the Belgian Legion (later Secret Army) and the National Royal Movement. The White Brigade even originates in the City of the Scheldt. Members of these organizations printed clandestine newspapers, gathered information for the Allies, committed attacks or helped people go into hiding. Individuals also resisted the occupation by committing acts of sabotage or helping people in hiding and Jews.

The occupying forces and their collaborators struck back hard. About 10% of the estimated 150,000 Belgian members of the resistance did not survive the war. After the liberation, various "statutes of national gratitude" were issued. But not everyone received recognition. For example, the contribution of women was not always appreciated. The resistance also does not get the place it deserves in the Flemish public memory.

Take a walk with this app along places where various forms of resistance were committed. Listen to the often forgotten stories of resistance fighters.

This walk was commissioned by the City of Antwerp, as part of Antwerpen Herdenkt (www.antwerpenherdenkt.be).

Concept and text: Memory Collective
Audio: Studio Sonart
Photography locations: Sigrid Spinnox