Spying in World War I: The true story of Margriet Ballegeer
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- Synopsis
- Margriet Ballegeer, a young Belgian woman, joined the resistance in 1914, playing a key role in sabotaging German occupation of Belgium throughout World War I. At the outbreak of war, Margriet, then 24, joined a local resistance group but later became part of a wider network of spies run by the British Intelligence Service from Rotterdam, but following the Armistice her role was overlooked. As part of her initial activities, she helped Father Felix Moons, a resistance worker, by stealing identity papers and passports from the town hall where her father was Chief of Police. Using these, she and Moons were able to help young men escape Belgium and join the Allies. When Moons became known to German Intelligence, he hid for a year in the Ballegeer household, pretending to be part of the family. While he stayed, Margariet acted as a courier for him, using the cover of her shop to keep resistance activities alive.In September 1915, Margriet was betrayed, arrested, and put on trial along with her father. They admitted to forging papers but denied the charges of spying: she was sentenced to 6 months, her father a year, both to be served in St Gilles prison. Even when released, Margriet remained committed to the cause, again joining a larger resistance group and using her shop as a "letterbox" for couriers, such as those collecting information on troop activities. Margriet was recruited by Henri Van Bergen as his secretary and courier, and between them they relayed vital information to Captain Landau who in turn informed his London HQ, enabling the Allies to prepare and anticipate German attacks.In 1917, Van Bergen, Margriet, and Moons were arrested and interrogated by the Germans after being betrayed by one of their recruits. More than 20 spies, including Margriet, were tried and sentenced to death. Margriet, however, was lucky and was granted a reprieve and remained in prison until the Armistice. Moons and Van Bergen were executed. After the war, Margrit moved to England, married and had two children, settling in Eastborne. This is her story.
- Copyright:
- 2013
Book Details
- Book Quality:
- Publisher Quality
- ISBN-13:
- 9781782001850
- Publisher:
- Osprey Publishing
- Date of Addition:
- 09/24/13
- Copyrighted By:
- Osprey
- Adult content:
- No
- Language:
- English
- Has Image Descriptions:
- No
- Categories:
- History, Military, Nonfiction
- Submitted By:
- Bookshare Staff
- Usage Restrictions:
- This is a copyrighted book.