Antwerp & Armstrong
Freeman of the City, Clare Hibbs Armstrong.
As intense as the trials had been in the period in which it was forged, so close was the connection with the man who symbolized "Antwerp X" as the protectors of Antwerp against the V1s.
In Armstrong, commander of operation “Antwerp X”, the people of Antwerp naturally also paid homage to his men.
These 22,000 Americans, British and Poles under his leadership, who stood ready for months, day and especially night, in all kinds of weather, worked non-stop to save the city and its port from destruction.
A close bond developed between the soldiers and the Antwerp population, who spent 6 months together in the line of fire. We hope to remember this great mutual respect and its expression in the years after the war in this digital part of our museum. Of course we welcome any assistance with stories, documents or objects that may contribute to this.

Telegram by Armstrong to Mayor Huysmans.
Antwerp's gratitude to its rescuers, and vice versa, resulted in several historic gifts.
Information on the V1's and the very exceptional "Re4" or manned V1 that Armstrong donated to Antwerp can be found on the page "Reichenberg survivors" in the V-weapon section.
In addition to an overview of relevant monuments, objects and documents that were donated by or to the city from 1945, supporting information and new items from other sources will also be added that contribute to the worthy commemoration of this crucial period in Antwerp's history.
“Because when it became clear that it was Antwerp's downfall that was wanted, a realization arose in every Antwerp citizen that Antwerp, after Normandy, would be one of the gates through which freedom would stride into Europe once again, that history would impose on the Sinjoren thus, the dangers and honors, to stand firm in a glorious task.”
(Antwerp City Archives, see “Send-off Armstrong” for more info)
Deeds in detail.
Although commander Armstrong is of course the most prominent in the tributes to Antwerp X, his men did more than just follow his orders properly.
An example of this was Lt. Wedemeyer who, as “Range Officer” of his anti-aircraft battery, developed and installed a time interval system, light signal system and procedure for firing ammunition with mechanical fuzes in salvo. This method proved to improve the accuracy of individual guns to such an excellent degree that it was adopted by all units defending an important port.
For his contribution, which undoubtedly saved the lives of many Antwerp residents, Lt. Wedemeyer the American Bronze Star and we also like to pay tribute to him here.
This small individual award in faraway America also has its place on this page as a monument to the memory of this period and especially the efforts of the thousands of men and women who contributed to the success of Antwerp X.
If we are to believe the Antwerp X commander, there is a good chance that the relationship with the local population for Lt. Wedemeyer was a major driving force in his undertaking.
In 1945 he wrote to Antwerp mayor Huysmans:
“We can never fully express our gratitude to the splendid people of Antwerp and vicinity who not only opened their homes as billets for large numbers of the Command but did everything possible to make our lives comfortable, and, in addition, they made no complaint of any kind, regardless of the severity of the German attack but on the contrary were an inspiration at all times for us to improve our work and redouble our efforts.”
Courtesy of the Wedemeyer family.
Although the many cannons were needed to save Antwerp, their defective shells sometimes also caused a great danger in the wider area.
A problem with the setting of the 90 mm shells sometimes prevented a shell from exploding in mid-air near a V1, but only when it hit the ground. Certainly in the densely populated Belgium and the Netherlands and with the many Allied soldiers who stayed there, this was of course a serious danger.
Private Leo F. Delaney devised a manipulation that caused defective grenades to explode shortly after leaving the barrel instead of on impact.
After research, his solution turned out to be practical and was applied throughout Antwerp X, sparing many lives from this necessary evil.
That his contribution may have saved many lives is all too clear from a report on a very tragic incident with a 90 mm grenade in Antwerp on 27.12.1944.
At around 8:00 pm, the defective grenade flew into a kitchen in the Lange Scholierstraat, killing 4 and injuring 5, of which at least 1 was severely mutilated.
“it was the custom that various friends and neighbors came to spend the evening with her, and they all sat in the kitchen around the stove, playing cards.”
Pvt. Delaney received accolades from 2 Brigadier Generals for his life-saving ingenuity, and we too are pleased to honor him with a place on this page.
Remembrance since 1945
This building had served as Armstrong's headquarters from February 1945. The order to make and place the memorial plaque was awarded on February 22, 1946 to Mr. V. Patteet for the sum of 4700 francs. In “Het Handelsblad” of April 24, 1948 it was known that it had already been placed, but a date for the official inauguration was not yet known.
Although in 1982 she was still described by the Gazet van Antwerpen as “A manifest sign of gratitude.” she had to be rescued from the rubble in 2003 by an attentive citizen.
After a huge disgrace was narrowly avoided, the museum had the honor of exhibiting this monument for 8 years until it could be replaced. The new building was completed in 2011 and on 22 November the plaque was unveiled in its original place by the then American ambassador Howard Guttman and Antwerp alderman for Culture and Education Heylen.
Samen met de beslissing om de gedenkplaat op de Rubenslei te plaatsen werd ook een onderzoek bevolen naar een gedenkpenning “Ter Ere van Antwerp X”.
The commission for this went to art sculptor Arthur Dupon who had to design and deliver “The medals, the bronze cast of the model, as well as the molds which remain the property of the City". From 9 July, approving articles with an image of his plaster model appeared in the Antwerp press.
The 55 cm large plaque was presented to the moved Armstrong on 4 September 1945, the first anniversary of the liberation however relative that
turned out to be.
Mayor Huysmans presented it to him in front of the Town Hall, where he himself had just received the War Cross that had been awarded to Antwerp.
“"Gen. Armstrong, greeted with an endless ovation, finds a few short, simple words to thank the 'friends from Antwerp' for their sympathy.
'When we saw how courageously you stood your ground in the face of danger,' he says, 'we felt proud to work with you. Your determination has been an example to us'.” (De Volksgazet)
In addition to the large one, 50 medals of 9 cm were also made, 20 of which were offered to the commanders of Antwerp X.
On the back was the text "Antverpia mutilata sed grata Brig. Cl. H. Armstrong sociisque” and the 20 military medals were also provided with their name, rank and unit at the back of the medals at the time of Antwerp X. Like Armstrong, many emphasized in their letter of thanks to the mayor that they had only done their job as soldiers to the best of their ability and especially praised how the civilians carried themselves.
“In comparison with the men women and children of Antwerp who suffered with such admirable courage and faith the worst scourge that a city could ever face, I am alltogether unworthy to receive the medal you sent me. But it will always occupy a place of high honor in my home, because it is a tribute from a very gallant people.”
Harold P. Hennessy, Chief of Staff Antwerp X, 2.2.1946.
"Donated by the City of Antwerp””
On June 14, 1945, Mayor Huysmans agreed to a proposal to place a second memorial plaque in Armstrong's most famous headquarters.
The dining room of hotel "Le Grand Veneur" in Keerbergen had been Armstrong's control room during the bombardement and, as it were, the brain of the operation. The many observers, equipped with binoculars to radars, like senses reported the threat with which in this control room the guns were controlled like limbs that had to pluck the bombs from the air.
Despite the realization that the rescue of Antwerp was largely directed from this location, it took more than a year before the memorial was placed.
Mayor Huysmans himself was rather annoyed with the matter when it turned out that Armstrong would visit the “Grand Veneur” on July 21, 1946 and the plaque was not yet ready. On July 9, he sent an urgent request whether the plate could be placed by July 21, to replace a temporary one that was hanging there. In the end he had to wait until October for the message that she had been placed on October 15, 1946.
This “Antwerp X” commemorative plaque also hung in its place for years until it was in danger and had to be sheltered elsewhere in 2013.
After the closure in 1978 and throughout the period as a girls' boarding school there was no problem, but when the building became vacant after sale in 2011, vandals started to destroy everything that remained. Fortunately, the municipality of Keerbergen intervened and placed the memorial plaque in January 2013 in the basement of the town hall.
After the recent conversion of the "Grand Veneur" into apartments, the municipal council of Keerbergen decided on April 12, 2018 that the memorial plaque could be returned.
In December she was installed at her new location in the entrance hall, the solemn inauguration took place on 11/11/2019.
As organization, we would like to congratulate and thank everyone who was involved in saving and/or allowing this important monument to return.
In 1946, the grateful “Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force” donated a commemorative plaque to the city of Antwerp for its role in WW2.
The 100 x 45 cm plate reads:
“In grateful recognition to the people of Antwerp who, like good soldiers, stood steadfast at their posts to aid the allies throughout the enemy’s aerial siege of their city, from 13 October 1944 to 29 March 1945, and through whose efforts the Allied cause was largely sustained, this plaque is presented by the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force.”
American General Lee presented them on February 5, 1946 at 10:30 am at the town hall, where it was given a prominent place in the Leyszaal.
In the 1950 photo we see Armstrong sitting in front of the plate in which he and his men undoubtedly played no small part. Later his bust would also be placed here, in front of the memorial plaque.
One may wonder whether this task could have been accomplished without Operation Antwerp X.
In this way, Armstrong and his fellow troops in "Antwerp X" are inextricably linked to this monument to Antwerp's crucial role during WW2.
On March 11, 1946, the City Council of Antwerp unanimously approved the request to make Brigadier General Armstrong a Freeman of the City of Antwerp.
After having decided on March 1 to request this from the Municipal Council, the Board concluded its subsequent speech of March 7 as follows:
“To the policy of Brigadier-General Armstrong, Antwerp owes its preservation. Indeed, thanks to the measures undertaken by him and his associates, most of the flying bombs could be rendered harmless before the could carry out their destructive task in our city. We have the honor to propose to you to offer Brigadier-General Clare H. Armstrong, as an expression of the eternal gratitude of the people of Antwerp, the title of Freeman of the City of Antwerp.”
The letter in which he was offered the honorary title reached him only after some delay, so that he immediately sent a first telegram of gratitude on 25 May.
A few days later, a more extensive letter of thanks followed with his modest acceptance.
"As you know i have never felt that any of the many kindnesses and honors bestowed upon me and my command by the Belgians, and the City of Antwerp in particular, have been deserved for we only did a soldier’s task, but I can assure you that each and every member of the Antwerp X Command is deeply grateful and will always remember the sincerity of the people whom you represent."
Since the ceremony was scheduled for July 21, 1946, Armstrong also attended the National Day parades on the Meir that day.
“When a group of the maimed and mutilated went passed, they received a charming little nod from Brig. Gen. Armstrong.”…”After the parade the personalities made their way to the Beurs, while Brig. Gen. Armstrong, was warmly cheered by the entranced crowd.” (Het Handelsblad)
When Armstrong arrived at the Handelsbeurs on the Meir, a grand reception awaited him. He called it the most beautiful day of his life.
After a few songs sung by children and a tribute to the Belgian tricolor by the Virgin of Antwerp, Mayor Huysmans started his speech. At the end, he again honored Armstrong and his men before presenting the certificate. “I dont have to tell you the history of all of this anymore.” …
It’s no exaggeration to say that if the this defence had not acted, not much would have been left of the city and its port. For this we are grateful to the famous “Antwerp X” brigade, in the person of Brigadier-General Clare Armstrong, whose clear mind and decisiveness, -whose forcefulness and dynamism, we have had the opportunity to rate highly and to admire.”
According to "De Volksgazet" a bit later, when the mayor uttered the last sentences of his speech, the crowd had already jumped up to once again give a "thumping ovatie" to the guest of honor, according to "Le Matin" with "an enthusiasm that borders on delirium”. In his short acceptance speech, the moved Armstrong once again expressed his admiration for the population during the shelling,
“I have therefore already felt like a citizen of Antwerp from then on.“
The large document, presented to him in a case of rosewood, was printed in the Museum Plantin with original 16th century equipment.
Printer Buschmann printed there "A diploma, plantinian material, 1 sheet printed in red and black on real handmade Hollandsch paper, decorations colored by hand".
A page was also devoted to the event in the city's Golden Book.
Executed by painter J. Van Ael, the text read:
“The grateful ANTWERP to Brigadier-General Clare H. Armstrong, commander of the brigade “ANTWERP X”, who saved thousands of our citizens from death during the attacks of the flying bombs, from October 7, 1944 to March 30, 1945.”
At the initiative of banker Enrique Mistler, money had been collected from the corporate world and beyond to provide a lasting memento. About the bust, a work by the Antwerp artist Willy Kreitz, an article with photo was published on August 25, 1947 in the Gazet van Antwerpen, where it was noted that it had been made in 1945. The donors had 2 bronze copies made, one for the honorary citizen and one that they hoped would get a place in the Antwerp City Hall.
At the handover on September 13, 1947, mayor Craeybeckx made it clear why it was gratefully accepted and reassured the donors.
“We owe this man so immeasurably much. In order to form a more or less vivid idea of this, we should be able to unroll in our imagination, as in the suggestive and fantastical, but fortunately only fictional realm of the film, the movie of the complete destruction of Antwerp.” …”I can tell them it will be there in the place of honor.”
In addition to the great symbolic value of the two statues, he emphasized the historical debt that Antwerp would cherish and remember with pride.
“Whatever the future may hold for you, wherever you may later reside, the bond between the two statues will never be broken, one in your home circle, Colonel Armstrong, the other on the Antwerp Town Hall where the heart of Antwerp beats .” He then used the rich Antwerp history to assure Armstrong of her eternal gratitude in the future. “We have known Sinjoren (Antwerpians) who prided themselves on throwing debt notes into the fire. But those were debts we had to receive, from otherwise bad payers: nothing more than princes or even emperors.
But this time it is a debenture where we are the debters,- and these are debentures that bring honor to the Antwerpians.
Colonel Armstrong, hundreds of homes were spared by you and your men. Hundreds of Antwerp residents owe you their lives. On behalf of the whole of Antwerp,- I thank you sir.”After paying for the busts, there were still 50,000 collected Franks that were donated by Armstrong to charity at the liberation celebrations of 1948.
The money was to be used by the mayor for the poor children of Antwerp and its suburbs. It was agreed that the money would be made available to the National Association of Civil War Invalids, Widows and Claimants (Antwerp metropolitan section), which would manage an Armstrong fund to support the needy children who had fallen victim to the war. At his farewell in 1950, they gave Armstrong an album of letters of thanks, drawings and more than 100 signatures from their parents, which touched Armstrong deeply. “Nothing could be closer to my heart.”
In 1948 Armstrong got an avenue named after him between north of the city.
On March 12, 1948, the Board decided that “The 80 meter wide avenue, to be constructed between the Noorderlaan and the 1st Havendok opposite the Paramaribostraat, will be called ARMSTRONGLAAN.”
On March 19 mayor Craeybeckx wrote to Armstrong about the decision to "show in this small way the appreciation we all feel for you".
With the expansion of General Motors, the avenue disappeared so that the city council put the name in reserve in 1974. Ten years later it would be back out.
In 1984 another avenue was named after Armstrong, this time in the south of the city. During a tribute to Armstrong at City Hall, Mayor Cools stated;
“As we commemorate these days, the 40th anniversary of our double liberation, first from the Nazis, later from their terrible flying bombs, it has been a great honor for our City Council to give General Armstrong's name to a new thoroughfare of the city, connected to the Colonel Silvertoplaan, the first British colonel who entered Antwerp on September 4, 1944 and was killed three weeks later during the fighting in the vicinity of Nijmegen.”
Since he was stationed in Belgium as a military attaché a few months after his honorary citizenship, Armstrong was able to visit his city regularly until 1950.
In a letter dated November 5, 1946, the delighted Armstrong informed friends in Aartselaar, the Damman family, that he was coming to live in Belgium: “Whee! We are so happy over the good news that came in today. We are coming to Belgium to live. We arrive about January 1st, and I will be the Military Attache to Belgium and Luxembourg.” Although he performed this function from Brussels, he always sent greeting cards with Brabo, the legendary hero and symbol of Antwerp, according to Francis Damman.
Present at the many commemorations, ceremonies and festivities as a military attaché in Antwerp, he was always there first and foremost as an honorary citizen.
At the liberation celebrations in 1947, he was also celebrated in various places: “Armstrong drove through the city in a convertible together with the Mayor and fraternized with the Antwerpians. Then they went to the sports hall in the Diepestraat where speeches were held, then they went to the Damhof quarters and if i am not mistaken after that they also went to the Kiel for a while.”
According to the “Gazet van Antwerpen” the night ended on the Linkeroever (Left Bank) where they headed, already after midnight, for another reception.
These 3 beautiful years in which the bond between Antwerp and Armstrong had become even more intimate made the farewell in 1950 of course even more emotional.
On October 23, Mayor Craeybeckx sent a message to the population about the solemnities and festivities at Armstrong's farewell party that would take place 5 days later.
“I invite my fellow citizens to flag their homes next October 28, as a token of the grateful tribute we owe him. … Thanks to his policy, Antwerp was spared from thorough destruction.”
He announced a "beautiful event" at 4 p.m. in the Handelsbeurs and at 8 p.m. a parade on the Grote Markt, “A procession, composed of all the associations of our city.”.
After a farewell lunch offered by the American-Belgian Association, the meeting followed in the Handelsbeurs, the sound recordings of which are available digitally.
Despite the varying sound quality, much of the program can be heard clearly, which of course gives an exceptional impression that is difficult to match with a pen. An absolute gem regarding the relationship between Antwerp and Armstrong!
1. Entry Brig. Gen. Clare H. Armstrong. Chorus and orchestra: “Alleluia” (G.F. Haendel).
2. The Star Spangled Banner. The Belgian National anthem
3. Speech by Mr. Mayor, and presentation of the City's Gift.
4. Triumph march from “De Genius des Vaderlands” Choir and orchestra (Peter Benoit).
5. Offering gifts by associations.
6. Presentation of the Schoolchildren's gift.
7. Floral Tribute. Orchestra: “Klokke Roeland” (Edgar Tinel) + “Gloria Flori” (Aug. De Boeck).
8. Acknowledgments from Brigadier General Armstrong.
9. Farewell song: chorus and orchestra: “A good friend never parteth” (Auld Lang Syne).
10. Depart Brig. Gen. Armstrong. Chorus and orchestra: "For he's a jolly good Fellow".
Performers: 80 students of Vocational School nr3 for Girls – Kon. Antoon Van Dyckkring – Social. Male choir Lassallekring – Pro Musica – De Vredezangers – Symphonic Orchestra – Musical director: Gust. Persoons.
After the moving ceremony in the Handelsbeurs, the enormous procession followed at 8:00 PM that paraded past the City Hall in front of Armstrong.
It took more than half an hour before the last of the 12 music companies and 60 associations had paid their respects. After the American and Belgian National Anthem, Armstrong addressed the hundreds of attendees who braved the cold and rain to say goodbye to their “Colonel Armstrong”. The Gazet van Antwerpen concluded:
"As a good friend of Antwerp he has left. May his memory live forever more in this city…”
Armstrong at "het Kiel" in 1948.
Sound recordings of the farewell in the Handelsbeurs can be listened to on the website of the Antwerp city archives:
Goodbye at City Hall.
Brigade General Armstrong visiting the Damman family in Aartselaar, notice the single star sign on the car indicating his high rank.
In 1943 ontving Armstrong bij zijn promotie tot Brigadier Generaal in het Amerikaanse leger zijn “Flag Officer’s Colours”, de nationale vlag en die van Brigadier General.
This allows these and senior officers to indicate the location of where they are commanding. Today they are still tradition and have become the standard background for an official portrait of a general.
When DeWitt C. Armstrong, son of Honorary citizen Clare H., visited Antwerp in 1989 on the occasion of the liberation celebrations, he presented the City with a special gift for special reasons.
““At the 45th anniversary celebration I presented to the city of Antwerp my father’s colors, a 48-star US flag and his general officer’s flag. Mounted in 90-mm shell cases actually fired in the defense of Antwerp, they now flank his bronze bust in the Leys room in Antwerp’s magnificent city hall. At the presentation I do recall microphones and bright lights.
The theme of my short speech was that Antwerp was where his colors should remain, for two reasons. One was his great admiration for the courage of Antwerp’s citizens throughout the bombardment. The other was that of all his honors from many nations,
what made him most proud was to be a Freeman of Antwerp."
When inquiring about this donation and the current management of these objects, nothing was known about all this in 2018.
The only document with relevant information turned out to be the letter in the Antwerp City Archives with the aforementioned mention, description and motivation. Armstrong's son wrote it in 1994 to Francis Damman who donated many Armstrong-related documents and photographs from his family archive to the City in 1995 and 2004. At the beginning of October 2018, documentation was submitted to the City with general information about the objects and recommendations such as the preparation of a file. We expressed our hope that disclosing the special origin of the objects would aid their return, and promised to keep you posted on any evolution of this matter.
On September 6, 2019, 2 flags were exhibited at an event in the Felix archive.
As a nice token of appreciation for our assistance with some projects, we were given the opportunity to attend the official ceremony that started the commemoration period. Surprised by this appearance and not informed further, we could not report more about it, nor the accompanying shells. The text on the information column next to the colors looked familiar, except the last sentence:
“The city of Antwerp has not forgotten him yet."
In September 2024 we were able to confirm ourselves that they are now found in Antwerp City Hall.
For some time now they have been kept there, just a few metres from his bust, in the beautiful Leyszaal. This reunion of Armstrong, his colours and the public is obviously delightful to see acomplished.