Victor Ghijbels

Victor Stefan Ghijbels (May 29, 1890 - July 21, 1944) was a Brunanter politician and a leading member of the puppet government, during the German occupation of Brunant. A socialist turned fascist, Ghijbels was a founding member of the Patriotic Youth organization and served as the Minister for Education and Propaganda. He was murdered after the liberation of Brunant.

Early life
Ghijbels was born in Roodstad, son of Luuk and Adelheid (nee Aukes). He had two siblings; Sophie (1891-1934) and Amalia (1893-1975). Luuk Ghijbels was a factory labour, earning only a few money. As a result, he moved to Koningstad, where his uncle Constantijn lived. During that period, Victor came in contact with socialism through Charles Péguy's early works.

He got a job in a grocery and was quite active in the Brunanter social movement. However, he started tending to the right, after reading Georges Sorel's books. Impressed by Mussolini's rise to power, he was now a zealous fascist and anti-communist. In 1934, he joined Cristian Everard's National Socialist Front. He served as the party's secretary from 1937 until 1940.

During WWII
Ghijbels enrolled, but never fought during the German invasion. When the German conquered Brunant, he quickly cooperated and was appointed Minister for Education and Propaganda of the puppet government. Ghijbels had the idea of a fascist youth organization since 1939, therefore he established Patriotic Youth in 1942. Many young Brunanters joined, a majority of them also members of Borst's Security Legions.

Ghijbels chiefly focused on anti-communist propaganda, creating posters and leaflets. He also intended to distribute free copies of Hitler's Mein Kampf in schools. His actions earned him the nickname Brunanter Goebbels. SS Generaloberst Heinrich Schneider, Brunant's military commander, said about Ghijbels: "He's neither the smartest, nor the most capable man I have met; nevertheless, his anti-communist sentiments are impressive".

When the Allied troops landed on Brunant, Ghijbels was one of first collaborationists who tried to flee from the country. He managed to hide for some tie, but he was captured by Underground Revolution members. He was shot immediately and his body was thrown in the Dortmund River. About a week later, his corpse washed up on Charleston Beach.