1940-1945. The resistance in the dutch province of Limburg

Heer

There is a lot to tell about the occupation period in Heer. For each of the names listed below, it is again another story. In addition, there is the sad story of the resistance fighters from the area around Genk in Belgian Limburg. Twelve of them were shot by the Germans during their retreat between Heer and Cadier en Keer.

At that place stands the Belgian memorial. The information board says as follows:
On the eve of the liberation, 11 Belgian resistance fighters and one unknown resistance hero were executed here by the enemy. They were captured in the forests of Rotem in Belgium and killed in this grove behind Huize Sint Joseph on September 12, 1944, a few hours before the liberation. Two days later, their bodies were found hidden under a layer of marly limestone and branches.
Since 1945, this sad event has been commemorated every year on the 2nd Sunday in September. In 1948, four years after the shootings, the monument commemorating the resistance fighters was unveiled. We cherish their memory.
This collection of commemorative cards shows the mourning of the survivors. But also their pride. Because the resistance fighters died as heroes for their fatherland. “And to die for one’s fatherland is to make oneself immortal.” [1]

1. wikimedia.org Cadier_en_Keer_Belgisch_monument_infobord
2. https://www.4en5mei.nl/oorlogsmonumenten/zoeken/1746/cadier-en-keer-belgisch-monument
3. https://www.belgischmonumentheer.nl/slachtoffers-van-de-fusillade.html
4. Geheim Leger zone II/Limburg

Heer, Pro Patria-monument.
Charles Vos, 1949.

Liberated: 1944-09-13

Belgisch monument, Wikimedia