“Who was Harald Stammbach?” someone might ask. The Harald Stammbach Plaque stands as a testament to a hero of Lille. It commemorates a brave aviator and FFI Lieutenant.
Harald Stammbach was born on March 14, 1914. He was born in Hayange, Moselle when it was annexed. Stammbach died in action on September 3, 1944. His death occurred at Haut-Vinage in Wasquehal. He was a member of the SOE Sylvestre-Farmer network.
A career military man in aviation, Stammbach demobilized in 1940. He then settled in the Nord region. He became an agent for British services within the SOE. Specifically, he worked in section F. Stammbach led the local Sylvestre-Farmer network. This network was created by Michaël Trotobas. As a Lieutenant in the FFI, Stammbach commanded the local group from Flers-lez-Lille. This area is now part of Villeneuve-d’Ascq.
In early September 1944, the Germans were retreating to Belgium. Roubaix had been liberated on September 2nd. On Sunday the 3rd, some German soldiers arrived on the Grand Boulevard in Wasquehal mid-morning. FFI forces attacked, expecting an easy victory. However, these Germans were well-armed scouts. They were ensuring the road to Belgium was clear. Soon, a column of hundreds of men arrived. They were armed with machine guns and an anti-aircraft cannon.
FFI fighters from Flers, Lille, Roubaix, Tourcoing, and Wattrelos reinforced them. Harald Stammbach commanded the Flers group. They held back the German column. The battle raged fiercely. Eventually, the Germans retreated to the Wasquehal fort near Rue du Haut-Vinage.
The fighting intensified. Jean Wastyn, a 17-year-old, was mortally wounded. Shortly after, Lieutenant Harald Stammbach was fatally shot in the neck. Around 7 PM, the Germans surrendered. Harald Stammbach received grand funeral services three days later. He was posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre.
A stele stands in his honor at the battle site. It is located near the edge of the golf course. A street in Wasquehal bears his name. His name is also on the monument honoring Sylvestre-Farmer network members in Lille. The Harald Stammbach Plaque serves as a reminder. It honors his sacrifice for the liberation of France. It also commemorates his fellow fighters. They fell in the battle of Haut-Vinage. Their bravery helped secure freedom for the region.