Memorial Killed Members Secret Army

This memorial is unveailed in 1949 in honour of the 64 members of the Secret Army, of zone C.T.II, who were killed on this location, between 4 and 6 September 1944. C.T. II means; Corps Territoriaux, sector 2, zone 5. This Corps had their rallying point at Fôret Castle.

Commander of this zone was Major Van der Capellen.

On the front- and backside of the monument the names of the men and women who were killed in action are listed. On the backside the remains of 11 'maquisards', members of the resistance, the AS(le Armée Secrète) are commemorated. Their remains were found but could not be identified.

The Latin inscription on the monument referes to the year 1944, a chronogram. The capitals make the Roman number, MCMXLIV, 1944.

When translated; 'while the soldiers of the shadow die in cruelty, they say; we want an unmortal freedom'.

At September 6th 1944 the members of the AS were attacked by the German forces. 36 members were killed in action, 23 were taken prisoner and were transported to te isle monsin in the river Meuse at the city of Liège. At the bridge Pont-Barage a memorial is erected to remember these brave men. Commander Strauch (Sicherheids Dienst, SD,).ordered the execution of the 23 survivors. Their body's were to be found downstream the river Meuse untill july 1946.

Among them were

CORTEIL Joseph, 18 years !, from Fléron, resistent with the Armée Secret, captured at the battles of Fôret on Sept. 6, 1944. His body was never recovered. He is also remembered on the monument of Romsée.

MEULENBERG Jean, age 50, from Soumagne, captured by the Germans during the fighting around Fôret on September 6, 1944. His body was not found until June 1946. He is also remembered on the monument of Romsée.

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Source

• Text: Ed Lewandowski
• Photos: Ed Lewandowski (1), Ed Lewandowski (2, 3, 4, 5)
• www.belgiumwwii.be/nl/belgie-in-oorlog/artikels/1944-09-06-slachtpartij-van-foret-trooz.html
• https://www.belgiumwwii.be/nl/belgie-in-oorlog/artikels/luik.html, bij punt 5.