Prisoner of Breendonk: Marcel Louette, Founder of the ‘Witte Brigade’ – Fidelio (story in comments)

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1. Born in Antwerp in 1907, Marcel Louette was a schoolteacher by profession. But when Nazi Germany invaded Belgium in 1940, he chose another path: resistance.

   Finding trusted allies in those early days wasn’t easy, but Louette succeeded in gathering a small group committed to fighting back. This group became the foundation of what would grow into one of the largest and most organized resistance movements in Belgium: the Witte Brigade – Fidelio, named after Louette’s codename, Fidelio.

   Their activities were wide-ranging and high-risk. The group published an underground newspaper (Steeds Vereenigd – Unis Toujours), conducted espionage, engaged in acts of sabotage, stockpiled weapons, and helped those targeted by the Nazi regime.

   In 1942, Louette was forced into hiding. Two years later, in May 1944, he was arrested by the Nazis. He was imprisoned in Fort Breendonk, where he was subjected to severe torture that left lasting injuries. He was later deported to the concentration camps of Vught and then Sachsenhausen, where he remained until his liberation in April 1945.

   After the war, Louette remained active—this time as an advocate for his fellow resistance fighters, many of whom struggled with trauma and injuries.

2. Thanks for posting this. Do post some more in the future!

3. He looks like HP Lovecraft

4. Nooit meer fascisme, nu meer dan ooit. Meer zo’n posts pls

5. My great grandmother was part of “de brigade Fidelio”, she had a big bronze statue of his head in her living room all her life.

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