Eugeen Callewaert

After the German occupation of Belgium in 1940, various residents of Lichtervelde founded a local branch of the resistance group “White BrigadeMany Flemish resistance organisations bore the name White Brigade. They distinguished themselves from the Black Brigade, a paramilitary organisation of the far-right and nationalist Vlaams Nationaal Verbond.” in early 1942, which distributed leaflets, spread news, and procured weapons. Eugeen Callewaert joined the group. The members were betrayed, and following Hitler’s “Night-and-Fog”At least 7,000 people suspected of resistance from France, the Benelux countries, and Norway were deported to the German Reich and imprisoned there following the “Night-and-Fog”-Decree of 7 December 1941. They were completely isolated, given a number instead of their name, and were not allowed to contact relatives, fellow prisoners, or the outside world. Many died in custody or were sentenced to death and executed. decree on 14 September 1942, they were arrested and secretly transported to Germany in March 1943.

After multiple transfers to various detention centres, the People’s CourtThe People’s Court (Volksgerichtshof) was the highest political court established in 1934 to “combat enemies of the state” in the Third Reich. Its seat was in Berlin, but it also held sessions in other cities. No legal remedies could be lodged against a judgment of the People’s Court. The court imposed over 5,200 death sentences. in Leer finally sentenced Eugeen Callewaert to death. He was found guilty of “facilitating the acquisition of weapons” for the White Brigade, aiding guerrilla activities (Freischärlerei), and aiding the enemy, even though his membership could not be proven. He was then transferred to the Wolfenbüttel Prison.

“With a broken heart over this verdict, I politely and humbly, with the fullest confidence, Mr. Chief Public Prosecutor, request clemency.”

On 2 May 1944, Eugeen Callewaert wrote a clemency petition, which was unsuccessful.

On 15 June 1944, Eugeen Callewaert, along with 15 other members of the group from Lichtervelde and Torhout, was executed in the Wolfenbüttel Prison. Shortly before his death, he wrote a farewell letter. The letter could only be delivered to the family in 1990 after it was found in the Potsdam State Archive.

“My dearest Mama and dear children, may God’s holy will be done, I bid you farewell and await God’s holy grace for my soul, for I assure you, dearest Mama and beloved children, I die as a martyr for the good.”

The remains of the 16 executed resistance fighters from Lichtervelde and Torhout were exhumed in August 1947 in Wolfenbüttel, transferred to Belgium, and buried in Lichtervelde with great public participation.

Maria-Louisa Casselman, widow of Eugeen Callewaert, received a monthly allowance as early as 1944 because her husband had been deported to the German Reich and recognised as a “political prisoner.” This payment helped her support her five children.

In 1947, Maria-Louisa Casselman became the first female mayor in Belgium, succeeding her husband in office. She was mayor of Lichtervelde from 1947 to 1967.

Marie-Louisa Casselman, widow of Eugeen Callewaert, as mayor in 1960

Heemkundige Kring Lichtervelde

On 30 September 1949, Eugeen Callewaert was posthumously awarded the title and status of a “political prisoner” at his wife’s request. She and their minor children Bernard and Monique were also entitled to compensation as relatives. As part of this recognition, Maria-Louisa Casselman received compensation for her husband’s imprisonment. Additionally, the Belgian state financially supported the education of the five children, who were now half-orphans.

In 1948, Eugeen Callewaert was posthumously recognised as an “armed resistance fighter.” The time from his imprisonment until his execution, 2 years and 7 months, was equated with service in the regular Belgian army.

From 1962 to 1965, Maria-Louisa Casselman, as an eligible beneficiary of the status “political prisoner,” received payments under the Bilateral Compensation AgreementBetween 1959 and 1964, the Federal Republic of Germany concluded bilateral compensation agreements with twelve Western European states. These agreements included lump-sum payments intended to settle all compensation claims. The distribution of the funds was the responsibility of the recipient state. (Globalabkommen) between the Federal Republic of Germany and Belgium.

For both the city of Lichtervelde and the Callewaert family, it is important to keep the memory of Eugeen Callewaert and the Lichtervelde resistance group alive. An annual memorial ceremony for the group takes place in Lichtervelde. In 2024, special events were held to mark the 80th anniversary of the execution of the resistance fighters.