Memorial Renkin - De Villermont - Lorphèvre

Lt Paul Renkin and soldiers Emile Lorphevre and Claude Hennequin de Villermont were part of the Belgian 5th SAS. They were trained to operate behind enemy lines on intelligence and sabotage missions. In October 1944, the Belgian 5th SAS, initially a parachute unit, was transformed into a reconnaissance unit with armed jeeps. At that time, the unit had about 320 men.
During the German attack in the Ardennes on December 16, 1944, it was all hands on deck on the Allied side. All units that could be deployed quickly were sent in that direction, which included the "Belgian SAS Recce Squadron".
On December 28 they were sent to the Ardennes and, under the command of the British 6th Airborne Division, installed themselves at Froidfontaine, on the south side of "The Bulge". From there they carried out reconnaissance with British armored cars towards Wellin, Tellin, Halma, Han-sur-Lesse, Libin, Hatrival, Wavreille.
On the fatal December 31, 1944, Lt Renkin went out with 4 jeeps in the direction of Bure. After a first assignment in the morning, they left again in the same direction in the afternoon. At one point they notice German soldiers retreating to the woods. They slowly continue under cover of the other jeeps but are under fire. Lt Renkin's jeep turns around but is hit by a grenade in the spare fuel tank. The vehicle explodes and the three occupants are killed. For many years, the site of this battle has been home to the "Croix Renkin", a memorial to the three killed soldiers,

Source: Hangar Flying

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: Marie-Christine Vinck
• Photos: Pascal De Schepper (1, 2, 3), Marie-Christine Vinck (4, 5)