What whispers do these walls conceal? This COMETE Line Plaque marks a place of wartime bravery. The COMETE Line was a secret network. It helped Allied soldiers and airmen escape Nazi capture during World War II. Think of it a lifeline stretching across occupied territory.
The COMETE Line began in Brussels. Here, helpers sheltered airmen in their homes. They provided food, clothing, and false papers. Imagine the courage it took to hide someone from the Gestapo. From Brussels, volunteers escorted the escapees south. They moved through France to neutral Spain. Finally, they reached safety in British-controlled Gibraltar.
The COMETE Line’s motto was “Pugna Quin Percutias.” This means “fight without arms.” The organization focused on evasion. It avoided violent resistance. The COMETE Line was the largest escape network in occupied Europe. Over three years, it helped 776 people reach safety. Most were British and American airmen.
An estimated 3000 civilians aided the COMETE Line. They risked everything. They are remembered as “helpers.” Sadly, about 700 helpers were arrested. Around 290 died in prisons or concentration camps. The COMETE Line received financial support from MI9. This was a British intelligence agency. MI9 rescued Allied prisoners of war. They also aided service members behind enemy lines.
Rescuing downed airmen was vital. Training new aircrews was costly and time-consuming. Bringing experienced airmen back to duty was a priority. Andrée de Jongh founded the COMETE Line. This young Belgian woman was only 24. Her code name was “Dédée.” The Germans imprisoned her in 1943. However, she survived the war. Young women played key roles in the COMETE Line. They comprised 65 to 70 percent of the helpers.
In 1941, more Allied aircraft were falling in occupied Europe. Andrée de Jongh, Arnold Deppé, and Baron Jacques Donny created the COMETE Line. They aimed to help airmen escape to the United Kingdom. Deppé sought routes through France to smuggle people out of Belgium. He connected with the de Greef family near the Spanish border. Elvire De Greef became a vital COMETE Line member.
In July 1941, de Jongh and Deppé made their first border crossing. They led 10 Belgians and a secret agent. After crossing, they left them to their fate. Spanish police arrested the Belgians. Three soldiers were returned to the Germans. De Jongh and Deppé realized they needed to escort people to the British Consulate in Bilbao.
In August, Deppé and de Jongh led another group. An informer betrayed Deppé. The Germans arrested him. De Jongh reached the de Greef’s house safely. She crossed into Spain with a guide. She secured British support for the COMETE Line’s expenses.
De Jongh insisted on the COMETE Line’s independence. She declined British control. She believed they didn’t understand the risks. Initially, the COMETE Line refused radios from the British. They feared the Germans would capture them. In June 1943, they finally accepted an MI9 agent. Jacques Legrelle began working with them in Paris.
As you stand before this COMETE Line Plaque consider their courage. They faced danger every day. Their actions saved lives and offered hope. The COMETE Line represents the best of humanity during the darkest times.