Douch

Douch is a hamlet of the commune of Rosis, Herault in which was held on September 10th, 1943 one of the first combat of French resistance.

Account of the combat

On the plate of Douch, in the presbytery of the church, since August 25th, 1943 a group of approximately 50 men of the maquis trained by a sergeant was installed which had been used in a unit as cavalry: Christian of Roquemaurel. With his/her brother, Marcel, they had decided to devote all their care to the constitution of a maquis which they called Maquis Bir-Hakeim in homage to the victorious battle that had just gained the free French troops in North Africa.

The group is composed in the beginning of 16 Toulouse students reinforced by Spanish republican combatants taken refuge (source: Alberto Fernandez Tiempo de Historia n°12 noviembre 1975). Initially established with Villefranche de Rouergue, the group is transferred in a place more moved back, the plate of Douch, in the South of the Massif Central, the solid mass of Espinouse (department of Herault), which seemed a better shelter to carry out an intensive military training under the orders of professionals.

Unfortunately, prevented it is not known how or simply alarmed by an intense activity, the Germans are quickly informed of the presence of the maquis to the presbytery, however isolated. With 6:35 of the morning, this September 10th, 1943 a column of 200 soldiers of Wehrmacht, ordered by a captain, come by the road from Lamalou-the-Baths, encircles the camp without waking up the attention of the guetteurs: a thick fog recovered this morning the plate there. An intense combat engages; the Germans are supported by light mortars and guns. At the end of one hour, Roquemaurel notes that the surrounding of the camp is incomplete and that the Northern face of the camp is free. The decision to fold up itself is made after having set up a group of seven voluntary gunners them to cover with in particular, Henri Arlet, the chief, Jacques Sauvegrain… Two men are killed, Jean-Marie Allex, student, sergeant of artillery and Alphonse Landrieux, postal worker. Jacques Sauvegrain is wounded. Henri Arlet refuses to give up it and trails it with him on a distance of two kilometers. They are finally made prisoners and will join Edmond Guyaux and André Vasseur already captive them too.

But unhooking had been carried out, the camp was saved (source Jean Cassou: " The lesson of the enfants" in review Chateaubriant November 1945). On 47 combatants 2 were killed and 4 are made prisoners. The small troop folds up and reaches the village with half-ruined Saint-Pierre-of-Cats (Mélagues in the Aveyron) where it succeeds in being restored and finding, not without difficulties, of clothing necessary, because they had been surprised in the small hour.

Continuations of the combat

During this combat, the Germans underwent strong losses: an eight killed of which officer and twelve wounded. This engagement, one of the first so important in France occupied between two military forces framed by officers of career, is reported by the General De Gaulle in her Mémoires of war

The four prisoners will be taken along to Toulouse. The speed with which BBC reveals this heroic combat perhaps accelerated repression for the casualties remained with the hands of the German troops. The Four are shot on November 9th, 1943 with Bordelongue: Henri Arlet , student of Toulouse, Edmond Guyaux , student of Toulouse, Jacques Sauvegrain , raises Polytechnic school, André Vassseur , employed Toulouse

Places and Monuments

Sources

  • Charles de Gaulle: " Memories of war " (volume 2, p. 277 Plon).
  • Jean-Louis Cremieux-Brilhac: " Voices of Freedom; Here London 1940 - 1944 ED. Documentation Frenchwoman 1976
  • Rene Maruéjol and Aimé Vielzeuf: " The Maquis Bir-Hakeim " C. Lacour ED. Nimes 1947, republication 1990.

Random links:Tub | Mazara del Vallo | Philippe Goitschel | Trophy Refusals A. Murphy | Yvan Lebourgeois | Revenir_au_demain