Robert Maistriau Plaque

Amidst the serene Bois de la Cambre, a poignant story unfolds. Before you stands the Robert Maistriau Plaque. It commemorates a remarkable act of bravery during World War II. Robert Maistriau, a young medical student, risked his life to save Jewish people from the horrors of Auschwitz. The Robert Maistriau Plaque, unveiled in 2023, serves as a testament to his courage. Robert Maistriau, along with his friends Youra Livchitz and Jean Franklemon, attacked the 20th convoy on April 19, 1943. This train, carrying over 1,600 Jews, was headed for the Auschwitz extermination camp. Armed with little more than a red lantern, pliers, and a revolver, they managed to stop the train. Robert Maistriau forced open a wagon door, enabling several Jews to escape. The Robert Maistriau Plaque depicts the three young resistance fighters, forever immortalizing their selfless act. While 17 people escaped immediately, over 200 more fled before the train reached the German border. Tragically, Youra Livchitz was later captured and executed. Jean Franklemon was deported to Germany. Robert Maistriau joined the “Groupe G” resistance group, engaging in sabotage operations against the Germans. He was arrested in 1944 and sent to Buchenwald concentration camp, enduring unimaginable hardships. Robert Maistriau Plaque reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit. It also shows the power of resistance in the face of unimaginable evil. After liberation, Robert Maistriau dedicated his life to ecological and social development projects in the Congo. Years later, he was reunited with some of the individuals he saved. In 1994, he received the prestigious “Righteous Among Nations” award from Yad Vashem. The Robert Maistriau Plaque stands as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the importance of fighting for justice.