Square de la resistance - Monument Jules Bastin

Little known to the general public, he is probably one of the most heroic figures in our short military history. A real, epic novel character of the 20th century.
Jules Bastin was born in Roux, near Charleroi, on March 23, 1889.

He entered the army at the age of 17 and joined the ERM in 1907. In 1909 he joined the cavalry, the elite armor of the time.
During the Great War he was distinguished by his recklessness. Wounded, he was evacuated to Germany. He kept trying to escape , most notably in the company of a fellow prisoner, a French aviator named Roland Garros. He finally managed to "do the nice thing" on his tenth try.

At the time of the capitulation in May 1940, he went to London. He had the rank of colonel. He took the risk of returning to Belgium to continue the fight against the occupying forces.
In 1943, he became the head of the "Secret Army".
Closely watched by the Germans, his situation became increasingly delicate. Some friends suggested that he return to London to find shelter. Colonel Bastin refused and continued the clandestine battle.

He was arrested on November 24, 1943 and deported to Germany.
Classified as "Nacht und Nebel" , he died in captivity on December 1, 1944.

The city of Spa erected a monument in his memory.

willem vandenameele