Bidspirit auction | Early poster announcing “The Great

Early poster announcing “The Great Patriotic Congress of Belgium” – featuring survivors of the Breendonk camp and resistance fighters. December, 1944 - Grande Conférence PATRIOTIQUE AVEC PROJECTIONS par CARLOS le plus grand saboteur de Belgique Chef d'Action du Groupe G. W. 0. pour le Hainaut et le Nord de la France - Large poster announcing “The Great Patriotic Rally of Belgium” to be held on Sunday, December 10, 1944, in Ladeuze (a Belgian commune), where Carlos, Belgium’s most prominent resistance fighter, is scheduled to speak, alongside two survivors of the Breendonk camp. Recently liberated prisoners summon the courage to speak publicly and recount the horrors they endured. Rare. Large poster announcing “The Great Patriotic Congress of Belgium” to be held on Sunday, December 10, 1944, in Ladeuze, featuring Carlos, head of the G.W.O. resistance group, who will speak about the group he led, his parachute drop, his brave comrades, and the numerous acts of sabotage and daring operations he and his men carried out during the war—culminating in their contribution to the liberation. Also speaking at the congress are two survivors of the Breendonk camp, Henri Schmidt and Marius Segers, just a few months after the camp's liberation in August 1944: ”After enduring brutal torture at the hands of the Nazi thugs and their accomplices, including the notorious Weiss and Devosdt, they were put to the stake several times in hopes of forcing a confession. Yet they had the will, courage, and strength to remain silent—thus saving their lives and the lives of their comrades. These two heroes will speak of the hell of Breendonk, the torments they endured, the martyrdom, and their vile tormentors.” Ticket prices: 30 francs, 20 francs (numbered), and 10 francs. Proceeds from the event were dedicated to the benefit of the prisoners of Ladeuzois Prison. Many survivors were unable to speak of the horrors they endured for decades after the war. Before us is a rare testimony to a rally held shortly after the liberation of the Breendonk camp, in which newly liberated prisoners found the courage to speak publicly and recount the atrocities they had suffered. The resistance fighter Carlos, mentioned in the poster, is likely Pierre Poul, one of the most prominent members of the Belgian underground during World War II. He was active in the Groupe G resistance movement—a group founded in Belgium to fight the Nazi occupation, carry out retaliatory operations, and assist Jews in escaping or going into hiding. The group employed sabotage tactics, including train and infrastructure bombings, and the dissemination of false information. Carlos was one of the leading commanders of the group and became a heroic figure among Belgian resistance fighters. He was responsible not only for sabotage missions but also for leading groups of soldiers and civilians through breaks in Nazi control. Size: 55×37 cm. Fold marks. Minor edge tears. Good condition.