On 21 July 1944, German soldiers surrounded the home of partisan Pieter Degrijse and his wife Yvonne Decloedt on Wilgenstraat. At that time, Pieter Degrijse was in hiding at Maria’s Rustoord. However, Frans Lefevre, Jules Defour, H. Bouckaert, the neighbour’s son Surmont and Yvonne Decloedt were present in the house. Frans Lefevre and the neighbour’s son Surmont had nothing to do with the resistance. Surmont panicked and tried to escape through the back garden, but was shot immediately. The others were arrested. Frans Lefevre was even sent to the concentration camp at Buchenwald, where he was liberated by the Americans in April 1945.
Yvonne Decloedt is held in custody until 10 May 1945 because her husband is a fugitive. She is also suspected of the murder of three pro-Germans. In total, she will have spent 294 days in prison. After the war, she is granted the status of political prisoner.
