A unique online tool for researching World War II resistance fighters is launching today at resistanceinbelgium.be.

This initiative addresses the growing interest from historians and the public in uncovering family histories related to resistance efforts during the war.

Historian Fabrice Maerten highlights that around 200,000 Belgians sought recognition as resistance fighters, with approximately 160,000 achieving this status.

Belgian resistance efforts were initially slow to organize, with significant activity beginning around November 11, 1940, as patriotism surged during the occupation.

These resistance efforts included non-violent actions like intelligence gathering and clandestine press, which later escalated to armed resistance.

The resistance evolved into three main factions: a right-wing faction, a conservative faction, and a communist faction, with widespread mobilization occurring from October 1942.

The new database focuses on 'agents of information and action' who supplied intelligence to British and Belgian secret services.

Created by Cegesoma, the site will provide access to information on over 42,000 resistance fighters and aims to compile a total of 350,000 individual files.

The tool allows users to search by surname, town, or resistance network to uncover detailed profiles, including nationality, profession, and resistance activities.

The records in this database were originally compiled by Belgian public services to honor or compensate resistance fighters after the war.

Despite its significance, Cegesoma, which spent four years and 30,000 hours developing the site, is currently facing financial challenges due to budget cuts affecting federal scientific institutions.

This new resource complements an existing site at belgiumwwii.be, which offers thematic reports on World War II.