Farewell to the member of the Dutch Resistance Movement “Paul” (Pierre J.A. Schunck,)

Theo Goossen (Harry van Benthum) was subdistrict chief of the LO in Kerkrade and headed the L.O.’s intelligence service in the coalmine district, which soon included large parts of Limburg after the liberation. Pierre Schunck was his informant for the subdistrict of Valkenburg.
The scan of p. 1 is missing.

On 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.
The present Mr. „Paul“ became the leader of the subdistrict Valkenburg. The activities of this group stretched away to and reached Gulpen and Maastricht. Also Klimmen and environs were incorporated with the subdistrict 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!

P. 2

„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 by my wife lots of things 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 blew up the bridges over the Geul, 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 happens:
Applications for registration are received, 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 here 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 attitude
• 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!!
Resistance comrades and Stormtroopers, we say goodbye to a good comrade.
„Paul“ : may you rest in well-deserved peace !

Let’s say goodbye in an honourable way by singing the Dutch National Anthem:
1. Wilhelmus van Nassouwe
6. Mijn schildt en mijn betrouwen

„Harry“, Theo Goossen