Date of birth:

June 18th, 1918 (Paris, France)

Date of death:

October 23rd, 2010 (Namur/Namur, Belgium)

Nationality:

Belgian

In 1941, the lawyer Albert Mélot starts working for various Belgian resistance groups. When he is almost arrested by the Germans as a member of the Comet Line on 19 November 1942, he decides to flee to England. However, he is imprisoned in Spain and only reaches England in July 1943.
In the night of 9 to 10 April 1944, he lands by parachute with 2 missions:
1. The organisation of the Secret Army
2. The liberation of Leopold III
Once landed, he is present at two weapons drops, gives sabotage lessons, organises sectors, refuges and anti-destruction operations. On 13 June, he sabotages the Ghent-Lille railway line but is arrested and imprisoned by the occupier on his return from this night-time action.
Mélot is then freed by the Secret Army. In revenge, the Germans capture 100 people, including his parents and 3 sisters. Of these, more than 20 die in concentration camps, including his parents and sister Suzanne.
After the war, he becomes a judge. He is also asked to kidnap Léon Degrelle in Spain and is involved in the reconstruction of Congo.
On 23 September 1975, he is ennobled with the title of baron.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Kapitein (Captain)

Unit:

T Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Citation:
"This Officer was parachuted into Belgium on 10th April 1944 as assistent organiser to the military chief of Zone IV of the Secret Armies. He showed great ability in clandestine work and he was a month later transferred to Zone III to work in the difficult Flemish sector around Ghent. Although he knew no Flemish, MELOT accepted this new task with enthusiasm.

He moved freely throughout Zone III instructing the various resistance groups in the latest methods and technique of organising and coordinating sabotage attacks.
He was eventually arrested by the Gestapo on the 14 th June 1944. Although severely tortured he gave evidence of his consistant courage and loyalty and refused to speak.
His chiefs had such high regard for him that they staged a daring daylight attack in the heart of Ghent and succeeded in liberating him on the 15th July 1944. He then stayed in hiding and under medical care until the liberation.

His thoroughness, his meticulous attention to detail in preparing his plans, and his powers of organisation, won him high praise from his zone commander, whilst enthusiasm for the project in hand, constantly inspired those under his command to greater efforts.

It is recommended that Captitaine MELOT be appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Mil.) (Hon.)"

Signed
H. Gale
Lieutenant-General
Chief Administrative Officer
4.6.45

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

April 30th, 1946

• - Recommendation for Award for Melot, Albert Bernard Jean-Marie Rank: Capitaine ... | The National Archives
  - Belgisch Staatsblad, 116e Jaargang, Maandag 13 en Dinsdag 14 Mei 1946
  - https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9591943
  - https://data.arch.be/wiki/Item:Q6743
  - https://www.belgiumwwii.be
  - Het schaduwleger | L’Armée de l’ombre - 2020 - Gompel & Svacina