Although Belgium and the Netherlands declared themselves as being politically neutral to the rest of the world before joining the Allied forces, Germany continued their advances and finally came to occupy their desired areas of the country. These advances quickly resulted in resistance movements gradually becoming more popular and followed by many around Belgium. In 1941, Belgian Burgomaster, Van De Meulebroeck stated that the Germans had taken away his ability to exercise his power as Burgomaster, but that the Belgians would resist and he would continue to be the Burgomaster of Brussels. Further on during the war, Hubert Pierlot, the Ministry of Justice and Defense of Belgium, became head of all Pierlot-London resistance movements, allowing Belgians to stand against Germany’s cruelty towards the country and its people. Soon enough, press campaigns and many new members in the Belgian Secret Army had as a goal to spread propaganda around Belgium through underground structures and secret cargo. Still under Pierlot’s control and governance, the 5th Belgian Special Air Service was created in 1942 and sabotaged German troops’ advancement, on behalf of the Belgian resistance. Thus creating one of the largest and strongest Political resistances, backed-up by political leaders themselves.
"I AM, I STAY, AND I WILL STAY THE ONLY LEGITIMATE BURGOMASTER OF BRUSSELS"