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Parachutages and airdrops around Dieulefit

Close to Dieulefit, the first jump by parachute happened October 23, 1943, at Col de la Lance, near Montjoux. This is seven miles southeast of Dieulefit. It was on DZ (drop zone) Frène. The BBC message was “pour une blague, c’est deux blagues” and this was organized by the SOE. The Captain Gabriel Mazier, alias Captain Francois and the radio Joseph Cabot, alias Marius parachuted to organize the region around Puget-Theniers, Alpes Maritimes. Emile Prognon, aka Poirier Emile aka Edouard received them. (117) (118)

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From November 1943, Raynaud’s activities centered around Crest where Paul Pons served as Resistance chief for the Drome valley.

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November 13, 1943, the allied planes did the first airdrop for the Maquis of the Vercors. On the drop zone “Plume” located on the Arbounouze Plateau at Chapelle en Vercors. Four airplanes dropped sixty containers. (118)

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Hidayat told many people that he had helped in receiving such airdrops. The people from Dieulefit that participated in the first airdrop are documented as Jean Jouve, Albert Greggory, Andre Rodet et Emile Prognon. (Sandrine Suchon-Fouquet has the name as Pugnon. (119)

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Listing all the airdrops and parachuting around Dieulefit would show that they were numerous from that time up to the Allied landing in Normandy, June 6, 1944 and the southern coast of France, August 15, 1944. This shows that Dieulefit was certainly very active in the resistance against the German and preparing for disruption in the German communication and transportation lines before the landings few months away.

Hidayat made his contribution helping to receive airdrops. This was not without danger as the German were patrolling to stop such activities.

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It was most astounding to read recently in social medias comments that Hidayat was peacefully hiding in a French village while his sister was fighting against the Nazis. This is the result of lack of information for which this blog is attempting to remedy.

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This incredible intense resistance activity around Dieulefit, near the Vercors contributed to slow down or immobilize some German troops that could not be used to reinforce the German army in Normandy or Provence. This also contributed to the fast advance of the 6th US division that engaged in the Montelimar battle in August 1944, only two weeks after landing.

Individuals like Captain Raynaud were well recognized for their merit in directing the resistance in the south Drôme, however he depended on many people who helped in receiving, collecting, moving and storing all the containers. In his report, Captain Raynaud apologized for not been able to recollect all the names of those who contributed to this vast effort.

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December 5, 1943 between Comps and Dieulefit, on drop zone Framboise, for the BCRA with a RAF Squadron 624 airplane, the second lieutenant Roger Labrid aka Richard Lasalle and second lieutenant Andre Angel aka Bernard parachuted. (119)

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January 6, 1944 near Dieulefit, on the drop zone Philippe, for the BCRA, two Algiers agents parachuted. Lieutenant Antoine Budynec aka Georges and his radio Michel Uriath aka Octave were charged with organizing future parachute airdrops and the FFI in the Bouches du Rhone and Vaucluse. Also, with them was Lieutenant Maurice Seignon du Possel aka Erick aka Maurice Poucelle, aka Yves Bernard, aka Albert Creghy was an officer who trained in Algeria agents sent to France. He got in contact with the Gestapo in Marseille and betrayed many agents. He is considered responsible for Michel Uriath’s arrestation June 21, 1944. Maurice Seignon du Possel aka Erick was executed by the Gestapo on August 7, 1944 after making good use of him.  In addition, the arrival included Deydier aka Noel, Jacques Carreras aka Maurice and the radio Felix Rebecchi aka Paon. This again shows that danger was lurking from all direction about Dieulefit as Erick must have told the Gestapo where he parachuted when he arrived in France.

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Captain Raynaud received arm airdrops near Crest, twenty miles north of Dieulefit, on January 9 and near Bourdeaux, 9 miles north of Dieulefit on January 11, 1944. It was not without danger for the people forming the reception committee. The parachutes were visible in the sky and they had to worry about German patrols. Some parachutes did not open, and this resulted in having heavy packages breaking apart and sometime exploding on impact. (120)

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Raynaud reported that on January 9, the BBC message “Les huit bêtes sont là” (the eight beasts are there) came too late at 9:30 PM instead of 12:30 PM as requested. Out of eight planes flying above only three send parachutes with equipment. The content of two planes was totally received east of the landing zone. But the third was parachuted few miles west of the zone and taken by the German. (121)

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On January 11, the BBC message « Je coupe et j’en rejoue » (I cut et play it again) equipment was parachuted near Bourdeaux by one plane.

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After a few equipment parachuting operations that were missed due to danger the next successful airdrop happened February 28 “Il ne faut pas se mélanger les pieds” (do not get confused) five miles north of Nyons, drop zone Victor or fifteen miles south of Dieulefit with the content of three planes.

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March 20, 1944 Raymond Louis Daujat, Montelimar resistance leader, was killed by an explosion as he was organizing a train sabotage. The train carried German troops on their way for rest from duties. Sixty were killed in that operation.

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March 26, 1944 one plane airdropped its content near Crest with the BBC message “Evelyne raccommode mes bas” (Evelyne mends my stockings).   In March, Raynaud had organized 800 men in the Jockey network in preparation for D Day.

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Raynaud got in touch with the maquis FTPF to deliver arms. His was a cool welcome as they took him prisoner and held him for three days until 50 Sten Guns and 200 grenades were delivered. The head of the FTP, Alexis was supportive and they agreed to act jointly. Alexis died not long after the June 6 landing stepping on a land mine.

During 1944 spring many arrestations by the Gestapo and French militia happened in the Rhone valley. Roger Poyol, resistance member who helped Raynaud find a hide out near Dieulefit was killed. His wife refused to talk under torture and was deported by the Gestapo. Raynaud had to take refuge near Bourdeaux, 9 miles north of Dieulefit, at Mr. Simiand’s house near Francillon-sur-Roubion. 

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During that time in April and May 1944, the Jockey network was particularly busy receiving airdrops, carrying arms and ammunitions in safe places, setting up the organization and training local leaders in preparation for D day. Railway sabotages were numerous cutting train communication for the Germans.

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Toward the end of April 1944, the FFI (French resistance movement working with General de Gaulle) put much pressure on German troops around Montelimar.

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May 12, 1944, the French National Committee of Liberation issued an appeal over the BBC for the French people to leave the cities and seek refuge from air raids in the countryside.

Starting May 1944, Raynaud concluded an agreement with Commandant Hermine, Rhone Departmental head of the FFI to divide the territory in two sections. Raynaud would be operating in the southern section were Dieulefit is located. The FFI would concentrate in the northern section including the Vercors plateau. Raynaud organized 27 airdrop operations on the drop zone near Crest, Bourdeaux, Nyons, Saillans, Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert and Dieulefit. Hermine was not please to see all the airdrops received by Raynaud in Drome as General de Gaulle wanted more control over French resistance activities. However, from that time in May, Hermine and his assistant Legrand had official rapport after they divided their zone of operation with Raynaud.

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May 1944 with the BBC message “Les croisés se mirent aux fenêtres » 3 miles south east of Dieulefit, location Mich 81, one plane out of three that were announced made its delivery.

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June 6, 1944 Hermine asked Raynaud to sabotage the Livron-Orange railway line and to stop all traffic on the Rhone bridge at Loriol. In addition, he was in charge to harass the German troops on the roads including N540 from Montelimar to Dieulefit and D6 from Montelimar to Crest. The FTP was in charge of cutting the telephone lines.

Not knowing for sure that the Normandy landing would happen on June 6, Raynaud ordered all out-guerilla sabotage activities in the region under his command. The Marsanne forest was the retreat place for the maquis for the resistance and the population in case of massive German attack or retaliation.

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