The Chapel of Bellefontaine, due to its location 200 or 300 m from the border, surrounded by fields of cereals and on the edge of woods, constituted during the occupation an ideal starting point to pass unnoticed 'on the other side', therefore in France, hope of freedom.

The clandestine individuals, mainly escaped prisoners of war or draft dodgers, were taken care of by the Resistance network headed by Commander DANIEL.   There, courageous volunteers made it their duty to help them.

Among them, we must mention Father SIMON, parish priest of Bréchaumont.
He had in his possession several duplicate keys to the side door of the chapel.
The clandestine migrants were first welcomed, comforted, and the route from village to chapel was explained to them in detail, as well as the exact schedule to be followed.

Most often, if it was during the day, they were provided with a seasonal tool to carry on their shoulder (pitchfork, rake, pickaxe, shovel) which they had to abandon in the nearby woods.
They entered the chapel with the key given by the priest, opening the side door whose lock had been carefully oiled to prevent squeaking. The key then had to be placed under the step, a large movable stone, so that it could be retrieved later.

Customs patrols were rotated approximately every two hours; during this time, the attentive escapee or rebel watched the maneuver and, at the opportune moment, emerged from his hiding place to run straight ahead, slipping through the wheat fields in summer, towards the Reppe road, where he had every chance of being saved.

I myself participated in these rescues and tried the experiment with the priest when he went every three weeks to retrieve the tools left in the small wood.

Again, I truly believe that none of this could have been done without the help of the Virgin Mary.
It is indeed a true miracle that no one was apprehended or even denounced.

Therefore, on behalf of the network and all the escapees, we renew our thanks to Our Lady, protector of Liberty.

R. DURLIAT