Charles Bongaerts

Charles Marie Hubert Joseph Bongaerts (7 August 1909 - 23 November 1944) was a Dutch resistance hero during World War II.

Early life and career Bongaerts was born in Venlo in 1909 into a Catholic family. During his military service, he attained the rank of first lieutenant. In 1938, he became inspector at the Heerlen communal police, chief of the uniformed motorcycle division, as well as volunteer fireman. In the capacity of this role, he was active in pilot aid, helping prisoners of war escape, often using firetrucks, as well as in plotting and committing various acts of sabotage, including the provision of explosives to militant resistance groups, which was enabled by his connections with the mining industry of the region. In Heerlen, the Bongaertslaan is named after him. In June 2025, Lodewijk Ivo Crijns published his biography, entitled Heldhaftig strijder tegen de nazi’s: Charles Bongaerts (Venlo 1909-Ladelund 1944), verzetsman en politie-inspecteur; een leven van moed en opoffering (Heroic fighter against the Nazis: Charles Bongaerts (Venlo 1909-Ladelund 1944), resistance fighter and police inspector; a life of courage and sacrifice), available in Dutch and published by Walburg Pers.

Personal life Bongaerts married Marie-Thérèse "Tita" Dahmen in 1940, with whom he had two sons, Charles and George.