Buried in the wall of Céline’s kitchen, just behind the fridge, was a packet of letters that had never been seen before. Typed on a typewriter, these letters were exchanged between members of the resistance during the Second World War.
A discovery called “exceptionalby the Belgian State Archives.
“It’s surprising, we don’t expect it at all“, reports Céline to our microphone, showing the precise place where this historical treasure was hidden. “We just wanted to renovate and we find documents… It’s true that the house dates from 1900, but we didn’t think there were this kind of documents hidden here“, marvels the Liègeoise.
These documents leave Céline and her dad dreaming, when they discover the adventures experienced by these heroes in the shadows. “The characters, in the documents, give themselves code names such as ‘The Falcon’ or ‘The Pheasant’. It’s quite challenging, but it’s part of our history.”
The initial recipient of these letters would be Guillaume Dallemand, a former general counsel who died more than 60 years ago. “He’s a patriot, no doubt.”, assures Bernard Wilkin, the head of work at the state archives. “He also has a son who is a war volunteer in 1940 and who will die in Germany in 1945..”
Member of the resistance, Guillaume Dallemand had to manage the escape of the allied pilots. A very risky operation when you know that the fate reserved by the Nazis for the resistance fighters is death. “There is only a tiny minority of the population who will take these risks which are to lose their lives. Either shot directly or deported to a concentration camp,” recalls Bernard Wilkin.
Other letters could still be discovered since Céline and her father will continue their renovation work.