Victor Matthys, wartime leader of Belgium’s fascist Rexist Party, became one of the country’s most notorious Nazi collaborators. His rise from political propagandist to leader of a violent collaborationist movement reveals how occupation and extremist ideology helped fuel terror during the Second World War.
Born in Brussels, Matthys embraced Rexism and became a close associate of Léon Degrelle. Following the German occupation of Belgium, he emerged as a central figure in collaboration with Nazi Germany. Under his leadership, Rexist propaganda became increasingly radical, while armed Rexist militias participated in the persecution of resistance fighters, civilians, and suspected political opponents.
Matthys became particularly notorious for his connection to the Courcelles massacre of August 1944. Following the killing of a collaborationist official, Rexist gunmen murdered 27 Belgian civilians in retaliation. The massacre became one of the most infamous acts of political violence committed by Belgian collaborators during the occupation.
Known as “Degrelle’s Goebbels” because of the extremism of his propaganda, Matthys remained committed to collaboration as Nazi Germany approached defeat. After Belgium was liberated, he went into hiding but was eventually captured and prosecuted for his wartime activities.
His trial for treason, murder, and collaboration with Nazi Germany became one of Belgium’s significant postwar proceedings. Found guilty, Matthys faced the final consequences of the system of violence he had helped create.
This documentary examines his radicalization, alliance with Léon Degrelle, leadership of the Rexist movement, and connection to the Courcelles massacre, providing a stark account of political collaboration and violence in Nazi-occupied Belgium.
This episode is part of the series High Ranking Fascist Collaborators: Politicians.
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