Here is the memorial to the 8 SAS men who were captured and murdered in the Foret du Donon at Grandfontaine above Moussey.It appears that they were positioned in a farmhouse within the forest and their postion was denounced by a Frenchman to the Gestapo. Sgt Walter Henry Edgar Nevill, a native of South Wales is named as Sgt "Patt" Nevill on the memorial which suggests he went under the name of "Patt" to the locals.
Harry I hope you don't mind but I have borrowed the pics you posted as it were. You wouldnt happen to have close ups of the headstones in Moussey Churchyard that I could have/borrow by any chance? I did ask a chap on another forum some time ago as he offered to get me them but I have yet to hear from him. Regards Andy
Sheila, Does the old gentleman happen to be Mr "S"? If so, he has an interesting story to tell regarding the fate of team "Jacob".I may be incorrect with my assumption. No, that's not him (well, not that I am aware of anyway!). I have done some further digging around on Google but there is very little out there - perhaps I'm just looking in the wrong place.
Moussey village memorial.Vosges. October 2003 Memorial plaque to those deported and did not return from Germany, including the large group deported on 24 September 1944.
Harry I hope you don't mind but I have borrowed the pics you posted as it were. You wouldnt happen to have close ups of the headstones in Moussey Churchyard that I could have/borrow by any chance? I did ask a chap on another forum some time ago as he offered to get me them but I have yet to hear from him. Regards Andy Andy, I am happy for you to use them for your own private use. I have close ups of the SAS graves.I will sort them out and post them.
No, that's not him (well, not that I am aware of anyway!). I have done some further digging around on Google but there is very little out there - perhaps I'm just looking in the wrong place. Sheila.Sorry for the misinformation.I was thinkiung of the Jedburghs. The Mr "S" was the sole survivor, as I see it, of the Jedburgh team "Jacob" ,ie, Sgt Seymour.(His name is in the public domain.) Victor Gough was murdered in Germany and lies in Durnbach and Lt Baraud (I presume of the FFI was killed in combat) and being a French national,the place of his internment would be the resonsibility of the French government. I think the "old gentleman" would be Sgt Len Owens, again his name is in the public domain and the person who was the main driver of the idea to erect a memorial to the Phantoms at the TNMA at Alrewas. Of his three Phantom (GHQ Liaison Regt) colleagues remembered at Alrewas, two lie in Moussey churchyard with deaths of all three, as indicated on the wall memorial plaque.These are as below. Sgt Gerald Donovan Davis (parent unit Royal Armoured Corps) attached GHQ Liaison Regiment. Signalman Peter Bannerman (parent unit Royal Corps of Signals) attached No 2 SAS. The third one commemorated at Alrewas is Signalman George Gourlay Johnson (parent unit Royal Corps of Signals) attached Royal Armoured Corps, attached GHQ Liaison Regiment. George Johnson has no known grave but is remembered on the CWGC Groesbeek Memorial in the Netherlands,some 350 miles from Moussey. For some unknown reason, the CWGC often carry out this practice of including the missing on memorials, remote from the place of death.For instance,the Groesbeek Memorial and the Bayeaux Memorial are the sites of remembrances to SOE and other covert personnel who were murdered in German concentration camps and have no known graves. Roger Ford in his "Fire from the Forest" puts the Loyton casualties as 33 No 2 SAS members,2 members of the attached Phantom patrol and two Members of the Jedburgh team,all but 3 or 4 killed in captivity.
Just found this site, containing interesting info on several special forces outfits, including the Jedburghs: Special Forces - Roll Of Honour
No, that's not him (well, not that I am aware of anyway!). I have done some further digging around on Google but there is very little out there - perhaps I'm just looking in the wrong place. Sheila, The following links outline the story behind Sgt. Len Owens MM Phantom Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA), Alrewas, Staffordshire, UK http://www.memorialgrove.org.uk/phantommemorial.htm http://www.memorialgrove.org.uk/phantommemorialupgrade.htm http://www.expressandstar.com/2008/06/24/veteran-len-in-tribute-to-brave-villagers/ The Service of Dedication held in the NMA's Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness on Sunday the 22nd June, 2008, was conducted in the French and English languages and was attended by M. Jacques Defrance, the retiring Mayor of Moussey, and M. Gerard Villemin, who runs the Resistance to Deportation website. Both M. Defrance and M. Villemin lost their fathers, who were deported from Moussey in 1944 to concentration camps. In all 220 Moussey men and boys were sent to concentration camps in retaliation for the brave defiance of the Moussey villagers refusing to give up the SAS and Phantoms. Of these 220 deported, 140 did not return at the end of the war and many of those that did died as a result of the extreme and harsh conditions they suffered in the concentration camps. Pete
Sheila.Sorry for the misinformation.I was thinkiung of the Jedburghs. The Mr "S" was the sole survivor, as I see it, of the Jedburgh team "Jacob" ,ie, Sgt Seymour.(His name is in the public domain.) Victor Gough was murdered in Germany and lies in Durnbach and Lt Baraud (I presume of the FFI was killed in combat) and being a French national,the place of his internment would be the resonsibility of the French government. I think the "old gentleman" would be Sgt Len Owens, again his name is in the public domain and the person who was the main driver of the idea to erect a memorial to the Phantoms at the TNMA at Alrewas. Of his three Phantom (GHQ Liaison Regt) colleagues remembered at Alrewas, two lie in Moussey churchyard with deaths of all three, as indicated on the wall memorial plaque.These are as below. Sgt Gerald Donovan Davis (parent unit Royal Armoured Corps) attached GHQ Liaison Regiment. Signalman Peter Bannerman (parent unit Royal Corps of Signals) attached No 2 SAS. The third one commemorated at Alrewas is Signalman George Gourlay Johnson (parent unit Royal Corps of Signals) attached Royal Armoured Corps, attached GHQ Liaison Regiment. George Johnson has no known grave but is remembered on the CWGC Groesbeek Memorial in the Netherlands,some 350 miles from Moussey. For some unknown reason, the CWGC often carry out this practice of including the missing on memorials, remote from the place of death.For instance,the Groesbeek Memorial and the Bayeaux Memorial are the sites of remembrances to SOE and other covert personnel who were murdered in German concentration camps and have no known graves. Roger Ford in his "Fire from the Forest" puts the Loyton casualties as 33 No 2 SAS members,2 members of the attached Phantom patrol and two Members of the Jedburgh team,all but 3 or 4 killed in captivity. Spot on Harry! The "Old Gentleman" is indeed Len Owens. I have been to the Phantom Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum and was ashamed to say that I knew nothing of Operation Loyton. My education on that front has improved immensely since then.
Sheila, The following links outline the story behind Sgt. Len Owens MM Phantom Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA), Alrewas, Staffordshire, UK THE ALLIED SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION - Formerly the Special Forces Association - UK is dedicated to creating the ALLIED SPECIAL FORCES MEMORIAL GROVE at the NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM which will commemorate the men and women who sadly lost their li THE ALLIED SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION - Formerly the Special Forces Association - UK is dedicated to creating the ALLIED SPECIAL FORCES MEMORIAL GROVE at the NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM which will commemorate the men and women who sadly lost their li Veteran Len in tribute to brave villagers : Express & Star The Service of Dedication held in the NMA's Millennium Chapel of Peace and Forgiveness on Sunday the 22nd June, 2008, was conducted in the French and English languages and was attended by M. Jacques Defrance, the retiring Mayor of Moussey, and M. Gerard Villemin, who runs the Resistance to Deportation website. Both M. Defrance and M. Villemin lost their fathers, who were deported from Moussey in 1944 to concentration camps. In all 220 Moussey men and boys were sent to concentration camps in retaliation for the brave defiance of the Moussey villagers refusing to give up the SAS and Phantoms. Of these 220 deported, 140 did not return at the end of the war and many of those that did died as a result of the extreme and harsh conditions they suffered in the concentration camps. Pete Hello Pete! I wondered when you'd join me on this forum! I've already seen the links you posted - they certainly make interesting reading. Sheila
Ironically, this memorial caught my imagination when I was at the T.N.M.A a couple of weeks ago. I took some photos and they are attached. Rather nice to read a thread about the subject. Also slighty spooky that I took the photos a couple of days before this thread was written. RobertThere is a Memorial at T.N.M.A. dedicated to Phantom.
Ironically, this memorial caught my imagination when I was at the T.N.M.A a couple of weeks ago. I took some photos and they are attached. Rather nice to read a thread about the subject. Also slighty spooky that I took the photos a couple of days before this thread was written. Robert I first noticed the memorial a few years ago when I spotted the Cross of Lorraine. I didn't bother stopping to inspect it closely as it was blooming cold and raining but vowed to go back and have a closer look at some point. When I did go for a closer look I was fortunate enough to have a very knowledgeable guide in Jay Jafo to explain things to me. That was after I'd had the privilege of meeting Len.
Some pictures of French men suspected of being in the resistance. 1. France, Brittany, employment against the Resistance Description: Scherl: Fight against the terrorists in France. In some parts of France communist terrorist groups try again and again to disturb the German safeguards. Put by suddenly accomplished actions however the terrorist the handicraft and nearly daily reports the armed forces report of successes against the Saboteure. Again into a village in Brittany a group of terrorists was placed. On the market place the first hearings take place. 2. The red Maquis in France With an action against the terrorists in France numerous prisoners were brought in. Among them are many criminal nature, which have murders, armed robberies, railway assassination attempts etc. on the conscience. Those guarded from members franz. of the militia, the shoulder at shoulder with German soldiers against the bolshevism to fight. 3. The red Maquis in France Exact control of all male persons made the acts of sabotage of the last time necessary. They were led on the market place, where first due to the identification documents a rough sifting of the men is made. 4. The red Maquis in France The appearing suspicious men are aside taken and guarded up to their exact control in a Hohlweg. 5. The red Maquis in France Arrested terrorists before their evacuation. The leaders of the gangs are Jews, fled red Spaniards and English agents, who are provided with large sums of money usually well dressed and. Their Gefolgsmänner recruits itself almost exclusively from workshy riff-raff. 6. The red Marquis in France Some of the terrorists try to seize when approaching the German strips the escape. They are taken imprisoned, bound and wait now, in an isolated manner at an house wall standing, on their removal. Often one finds enticed young people among them by communist provocative campaign. 7. The red Maquis in France A Sammelsurium of prisoners. There is Frenchmen, red Spaniards, Poland and Italians, who work as terrorists. 8. The red Marquis in France A good catch of the German soldiers in France. These communist leaders stands on the list of the searches. Its escape attempt could be defeated by touching commands. Its papers prove its affiliation to terrorist groups.
France, militiaman guards resistance fighters Specially information: France. - Guard resistance fighter by French militiaman with pistol, arrested of; KBZ WHETHER west
Revealing photographs.History revisited Photo 2.It looks as if the Milice,the armed defensive wing of Vichy France are involved in the guarding of the column.These were highly trusted by the Germans and generally had a free hand in dealing with those ignored the Vichy "Relieve" and "STO" labour legislation (an accomodation with Sauckel in his ever demands for French manpower for Germany's war economy) I would put the location as the South of France.There were frequent checks to round up those young men who should have registered for their STO and even after registering failed to report at the rail station for labour in Germany,in reality deportation as forced labour. (Brittany was part of the occupied zone and along with the Atlantic coastal strip down to the Spanish border came under the jurisdiction of the Wehrmacht from Brussels.Vichy had no writ here so you would not find Vichy auxialliary units here.) Consequently the Germans and Vichy would mount roundups of those attempting to avoid STO, sealing off towns and railway stations for ID checks hoping to catch these and those suspect of being "bandits",ie,engaged in rersitance activity. Maquis units were never referred to as Red by anyone.They usually took their name from the leader of the MAQUIS and that would be an undercover name to protect his real identity.These groups eventually came under coordination of the SOE F Section or CDG's RF Section so their politics had to be appropriate.Recognised by London, the man who put the show on the road was Jean Moulin who laid down the structure for resistance coordination.This being accomplished, the groups could then receive help in terms of arms, money and field training by SOE elements and later,SAS help and coordination in operations. On the other hand there was the FTP (Franc-Tireurs et Partisans) formed from the communist FN (Front National Resitance movement when Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941) with a core spirit which was founded by the original FT in the 1870 Franco Prussian War.Among these groups there existed tremendous moral and physical courage but poor planning and coordination resulted initially from their operations because of the leadership's refusal to be coordinated into a effective fighting force from London.When they did, they received the aid that Maquis units received but it was a hard slog for SOE and later SAS people to get them absorbed to form coordinated resistance in their operations.They liked their independence and there were those at the top who had a different agenda for the new France to be. While in the Limousin last August I came across the domain of Georges Guingouin,an imposing FTP leader who was able to set his FTP up to brigade strength in July 1944.By this time he was virtually the ruler of a large rural area where the local German garrison feared to tred.I remember seeing a memorial in a field commemorating a day in the summer of 1944 when his FTP unit received a large quantity of arms and supplies all delivered by B17s.The "packages" must have presented a wonderful sight to those who wished to take the battle to the Germans. One advantage to the Germans and Vichy was that in the propaganda battle to capture the hearts and minds of the French citizen,the FTP were described as "communist gangs" or "communist terrorists" under the control of Moscow, The Maquis as "terrorists" under the control of London. But in the end it was Vichy's harsh policy of forced labour, the STO, which was the recruiting sergeant for the resistance groups as thousands fled the urban and rural towns to join the Maquis and STP. (I do not know if Drew is quoting official captions or not)
The following is a quote from the Osprey paperback, The British Reconnaissance Corps in World War II. GHQ Liason regiment ('Phantom') Phantom operated long-range patrols driving with forward troops, or air-dropped behind enemy lines, to send information on the enemy direct to Army HQ by wireless. !n early 1944 it was affiliated to the Royal Armoured Corps, after which it drew reinforcements from the Reconnaissance regiments. By the end of the war about 200 Recce men were serving with phantom. Regards Tom
Hi Harry, Cheers for the info the captions are as far as I'm aware the official captions that are attached to the pictures and translated by myself on Babel Fish. Interesting you go to Limousin. If you ever plan on visiting Treignac let me know and I'll steer you in the direction of a English cup of tea Regards Andy
try death on a distant frontier charles whiting. or philip warners phantom, there also plenty of books on the jedburghs tehmselves
