[1] The MNR was founded in German-occupied Belgium soon after the Belgian defeat of May 1940 by former members of the far-right Catholic, authoritarian Rexist Party.

As an organisation, it had a strongly nationalist stance and was led by Eugène Mertens de Wilmars, a former admirer of the fascist, Leon Degrelle.

The MNR also provided help to Jews hiding from German persecution, Allied pilots shot down in occupied Europe and Belgian workers avoiding labour service in Germany.

[1] In collaboration with the Secret Army and the Witte Brigade, the MNR participated in the capture of the Port of Antwerp shortly before the Allied liberation in September 1944.

[2] A monument to five members of the group killed during the liberation of Brussels is visible next to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts.