In Memory of "Harry"

One of the most interesting historical figures I discovered while researching NIGHT OF FLAMES, was the WW2 Belgian Resistance Leader, Colonel Eugene Colson, code name, "Harry". Colson was a merchant seaman and leader of one of Belgium's many Resistance organizations. For several months in mid-1944, leading up to the liberation of Belgium, Colson secretly brought together other covert Resistance groups in Antwerp forming a team of several hundred dockworkers, seamen, and naval officers that surprised the German garrison in Antwerp and seized the port. They held it until the British and Canadians arrived, thus preserving for Allied use, this vital sea-port.

Just two weeks ago I received an e-mail from the editor of the Gazette van Detroit informing me that an aquaintance of hers who was searching for a war-time friend sent her a copy of Colonel Colson's memorial card. It turns out that they both served under him during the war. "Harry", who passed away in January, 2000, a true hero of the war, wrote these words which were included in his memorial . . . " I am not far off, just on another ship"