Farewell to the member of the Dutch Resistance Movement "Paul" (Pierre J.A. Schunck,) Bearer of the Resistance Cross. Funeral oration, held by a comrade in arms "Harry" (Th. Goossen), Heerlen during the celebration of the Eucharist at 11 a.m. in the Church of the Holy Family in Schaesberg (Landgraaf, NL), 1993 February 6th Read ... Also at this web site: Resistance and libération * The Dutch Resistance man "Paul Simons" Vultures after World War II Het verborgen front (The Hidden Front) History of the organised resistance against nazi occupation in the Dutch province Limburg during World War II. Excerpt in English. Het verborgen front, Quotations from this book. Amongst them the chapter VIII.5.8. Valkenburg (Dutch) Life of Pierre Joseph Arnold Schunck Other sites (this window will stay open behind the new one): The Dutch Underground and the Stoottroepers Bond van Oud-Stoottroepers en Stoottroepers 30th Infantry Division Old Hickory Widerstand als Protest A virtual tour of Heerlen 1940-1945 and Dresden 1933-1945 (in German and Dutch) Roelof Blokzijl, resistance in Enschede At one of the first days of september 1943, the L.O.- district of Heerlen (Netherlands), was founded. One of the persons present was a man with the resistance name "Paul Simons". This happened in in the flat of rector Prompens in the St.-Jozef hospital. L.O. meant: "Landelijke Organisatie" (National Organisation for help to hidden people like Jews, allied pilots etc.. The L.O. district, in the beginning known as L18, later as Z18, covered, in addition to Maastricht and environs, about ¾ of the southern part of the province of Limburg (Netherlands). Curate Giel Berix from Heerlen, a friend of "Paul"'s and fellow-founder of the L.O. in Heerlen, became after the retirement of Rector Prompers by some good reasons and according to his own wishes, the leader of the district Z18 (He was arrested 21.6.1944 in Weert and died in the concentration camp of Bergen-Belsen). The district of Heerlen was divided into 9 Rayons (areas). The present Mr. "Paul" became the leader of the area Valkenburg. The activities of this group stretched away to and reached Gulpen and Maastricht. Also Klimmen and environs were incorporated with the "rayon" Valkenburg. During several secret meetings and the necessary cooperation they got better acquainted with each others and some learned a little about each others familiar situations and even surnames. "Paul"'s family name was Schunck, he lived in Valkenburg, where he had a laundry. There his wife Gerda was playing an important part too. At set times you could find "Paul" in Heerlen in a clothing factory at the corner Kruisstraat-Geleenstraat. "Paul" Schunck's resistance was directed against the perfidious invasion and occupation of our country the dictatorial display of power, exclusive of any kind of liberty the inhuman way of acting the elimination and massacration of dissidents and others. But: His acting mainly was aimed at assistance to people in trouble: To destitute families, whose husband and father had to flee, had gone into hiding, or was confined in jail or in one of the atrocious concentration camps. Organising accommodation and hiding places for refugees, for Jews, for crashed allied pilots, for Resistance people wanted by the police, etc. Those people all standed in need of nourishment, clothing, ration-books, identity cards, ration-coupons etc. The realisation of this help demanded organisation, consulting together, intensive cooperation etc., and all this inconspicuously and in secret! "Paul"'s own business interests again and again were interrupted by the distress of other people. This situation requires too: looking out, being carefull and acting inconspicuously. ALWAYS in the hope, to be able to evade the danger (though hidden, but always present). In this atmosphere we have to look at "Paul"'s more than 2 years lasting organised Resistance activities. In addition we have to take into consideration: several times he was in real peril of his life. In his own words: "I don't understand. I cannot explain it. I was very lucky! But I prayed a lot! ". And he adds: "I didn't do all this alone. And without the support from my wife lots of thing would have gone totally wrong." "Paul" also is a member of the intelligence group ID18. 1944-9-6 he lets know that the day before Sjeng (John) Coenen and Joep (Joe) Francotte have been shot down on the Cauberg and still are lying there. What next?? For "Paul" this shooting has remained a permanent trauma. 1944-9-15 he states: "The Germans have blown up the bridges over the Göhl, closed the roads, they have mounted cannons and defend themselves against the advancing Americans. Several buildings are heavily damaged and several houses are burning. The greater part of the population have put themselves in safety in the lime caves." 1944-9-16 The Resistance leader Bep van Kooten arrives in Heerlen. "Paul" lets him know, on his trip to Maastricht and Brussels he should not go by Valkenburg. This would be dangerous to life. In the night of 1944-9-16 the Germans leave Valkenburg. (See also Liberation) "Paul" contacts the liberators, as ordered by the Resistance. He will help them in any possible way. 1944-9-20 Bep van Kooten visits his comrade in arms "Paul" and tells him, that the Resistance people come together in the "Koninklijke Stoottroepen" (Royal Stormtroopers) of the regular army and begs "Paul", to support this action. "Paul" proudly canvasses for it among the members of the L.O. And so it occurs: Applications come in, lists are drafted, checks executed, necessary information given, suitable accommodation and workshops are searched, a garage for transport and servicing is recommanded! Results of these actions are, among other buildings, the houses Philips and Oranjehof. The relations with the liberators were OK and exist untill today! (A friendship for life joined him with Bob Hillecue from Chicago, member of the "Old Hickory" division, that liberated Valkenburg.) Mrs. Schunck, children and your families! The Resistance people and Stoottroepers gathered her wish, also in the name of those, who cannot be present, to express their thankfulness towards "Paul" Pierre Schunck: for his active dedication to recover our liberty. for his great commitment and sincere carefulness for his e special chummy carriage and all this with his devotion to God, queen and country!!. Mrs. Schunck, children and grandchildren, it hurts to say goodbye. ... the VERY MANY good memories will strengthen you!! Fellow Resistance people and Stormtroopers, we say goodbye to a good comrade. "Paul" : may you rest in well-deserved peace ! Let's say goodbye in a honourable way by singing the Dutch National Anthem: 1. Wilhelmus van Nassouwe 6. Mijn schildt en mijn betrouwen "Harry" Goossen Th.