What are the aims of this web site?
- To address the lack of accurate information available on the Belgian SAS Squadron.
- To higher the profile of the unit among military historians, living history enthusiasts, military collectors and the general public.
- To create an online memorial for all the men who served in this unit during the Second World War.
Who is responsible for the web site?
The web site is the work of 2 friends, Marc Backx and myself (Des Thomas).
Marc Backx is a successful sales manager and part time military antiques dealer from Belgium. He has collected military items since he was a child. In the 1980s he served in the Belgian Para-Commandos and as a result of his service became very interested in the history of the Belgian parachutists during the Second World War. In the last 15 years he has tracked down most of the surviving Belgian SAS men living in Belgium to learn about their experiences. His personal collection houses the largest array of original Belgian SAS memorabilia in the world and in recent years he has written 2 articles on the Belgian SAS which were published in the well known French Militaria magazine.
I am currently studying the Second World War in Europe at post-graduate level at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Like Marc I have collected military items since I was a child and have always been fascinated by military history especially that relating to the Second World War. By chance I met a Belgian SAS veteran (Maurice Ongena) in Canada during 2000 and as a consequence I became very interested in the history of the unit. After contacting and befriending Marc Backx shortly after meeting Maurice, I traveled extensively to locate remaining Belgian SAS veterans in Canada and interview them about their experiences. Once my University studies are finished, I hope to write a definitive unit history on the Belgian SAS.
Des Thomas
How is the web site funded?
The website is entirely funded by ourselves. It is intended to be an educational and non-commerical resource.
What is our policy on people using our material without permission?
Quite simple, we have zero tolerance for such behavior and will strongly pursue the necessary action against such acts.
How can we be contacted?
If you wish to contact us for further information you are welcome to do so using the contact information below. Please bear in mind that we have a regular contact from people looking for additional information or with specific questions. Although we try to answer these emails as quickly and completely as possible, we do have busy lives and daytime occupations to tend to. Priority is always given to relatives of Belgian SAS veterans who are seeking information on family members. If you do not receive a reply from us within 10 days please resend your email and make sure to include BELGIAN SAS in the subject line of your email. Some emails with vague or unclear subject lines may be deleted by our anti-spam programs.
The main point of contact for this web site is myself (Des Thomas). Unfortunately Marc Backx is currently unable to answer direct questions due to strong work commitments.
We would like to extend our special thanks to the following veterans:
Henri Verchuere, Maurice Ongena (RIP), Vic Vyvey (RIP), Maurice DeVulder, Willy DeHeusch, Wallace Donnelly (RIP), Joseph Geeraers, Rene Van Haezendonck (RIP) and Paul Marquet who were especially helpful to us in recent years.
We would also like to thank the following people:
The family of Maurice Ongena (especially his daughter Bonnie), the family of Lucien Goessens (especially his grandson Etienne), the family of Wallace Donnelly (Jennifer, Judy and Jean), the family of Cosmo DeClerq (particularly his son David), Denise Blondeel (daughter of Eddy Blondeel), the family of Maurice DeSerrano, Timothy Beuselinck (Nephew of Jean Thevissen) and last but certainly not least Carolyn DeBelser (daughter of Karel DeBelser and niece to August DeBelser). You have all been most helpful and kind to us over the years.
