in detail
The Bondues Fort served as a munitions store for the occupying German troops from 1940 until 1944. Between March 1943 and May 1944, they executed 68 resistance fighters in the inner courtyard where a memorial to the victims has stood since 1965. In 1986 the »Commemoration Association to the
Résistance and the victims executed at Bondues Fort« was founded.
The Bondues Resistance Museum was opened in the former fort in 1997. It presents those from the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region who fought in the resistance against National Socialist occupation. The permanent exhibition is composed of four parts. »Refusal« focuses on the reasons why people resisted. »Courage« shows the various forms of resistance (press, information brochures, sabotage, escape). »Involvement« focuses on the various networks formed by the resistance. »Sacrifice« reminds us of the dangers resistance fighters were exposed to.
The museum also elaborates on the history of the deportations from the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. The special exhibition in 2004/2005 named »Silence! One kills... (Reflections on Genocide)« puts National Socialist annihilation policies into the international realm of genocide and crimes against humanity.
The Resistance Museum which opened in Bondues in 1997 (Nord-Pas-de-Calais region) is situated on the premises of the former Bondues Fort occupied by Germany during the First and Second World Wars. It served as a munitions store for National Socialist occupying troops from 1940 until 1944. Between March 1943 and May 1944 they executed 68 resistance fighters in the inner courtyard. A memorial to the victims was erected in 1965.
1940 to 1944
Occupation of the fort by the German army and use as a munitions store.
March 1943 to May 1944
Execution of 68 resistance fighters in the courtyard of the fort.
1 September 1944
Demolition of the fort.
1965
Inauguration of the memorial for the 68 executed resistance fighters.
1986
Establishment of the 'Commemoration Association to the Résistance and the victims executed at Bondues Fort' and the redevelopment of the inner courtyard into a memorial.
1986
1997
The opening of the Resistance Museum in the walls of the fort.
Fort de Bondues, before 1918, Museum.
Fort de Bondues, 2003, The execution site was converted into a courtyard of honour in 1986, Yannick Denecker/Laurent Warin.
Fort de Bondues, 2003, The stela erected in 1965 commemorates the 68 executed Résistance fighters, Yannick Denecker/Laurent Warin.
