Gaston Vandermeerssche (August 18, 1921 – November 1, 2010) was a Belgian leader within the Dutch underground resistance against Nazi Germany during World War II.[1] Vandermeerssche's life in France during World War II became the basis for a 1988 novel by Allan Mayer, which was later adapted into the 1997 Dutch film, Gaston's War.[2]
Using the code name "Raymond", Vandermeerssche established an undercover smuggling line through the Pyrenees Mountains to deliver microfilmed intelligence from occupied France to the Belgian military headquarters in London.[2]
Vandermeerssche emigrated to the United States and resided in Bayside, Wisconsin, where he died of natural causes on November 1, 2010, aged 89.[2] He was survived by his wife, Violette, three daughters and one son.[2]
References[]
- ↑ "Gaston Vandermeerssche". The Daily Telegraph. London. November 19, 2010. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/special-forces-obituaries/8147780/Gaston-Vandermeerssche.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Rabideau Silvers, Amy (2010-11-04). "Gaston Vandermeerssche: WWII Dutch intelligence leader's story inspired book, film". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. http://www.jsonline.com/news/obituaries/106740543.html. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
The original article can be found at Gaston Vandermeerssche and the edit history here.