Maquis des Vosges
Encyclopedia
The Maquis
des Vosges were groups of French resistance
fighters in the Department of the Vosges
during the Second World War
. They were associated through an amalgamation of different resistance groups roughly when the Conseil national de la Résistance
was created on 27 May 1943. Maquis shrubland
is a Mediterranean biome
of dense scrub, which provided the guerrillas with cover.
The resistance reorganised at this time into four groupings:
- Maquis de Bulgnéville: La Vacheresse, Urville, St-Ouen, Robécourt, Contrexéville.
- Maquis de Liffol: Bois de la Vendue, Bazoilles.
- Maquis de Vaudeville: Coussey.
- Maquis de la forêt de Neufeys: Neufchâteau, Bourlémont.
- Maquis de Châtenois.
- Maquis du Mont St-Jean: Vittel.
- Maquis de Mirecourt: « La Chouette », de la ferme de la Malhaye, du Haut de Recon, du Haut du Chia.
- Maquis du Camp de la Délivrance: Lamarche ( 1er maquis vosgien ).
- Maquis de la Cense ( Rambervillers ).
- Maquis de Charmes ( en liaison avec le 1er groupe Lorraine ).
- Maquis de Châtel.
- Maquis de la Forêt du Terne.
- Maquis du Morillon.
- Maquis de Grandrupt.
- Maquis de Xertigny.
- Maquis de St-Nabord.
- Maquis du Haut-du-Bois
.
- Maquis de la Charme de l'Ormont ( Tendon ) devenu le maquis de la Chapelotte, en limite du IVème groupement.
- Maquis de la Chapelotte ( la Tête des Hérins et le Jardin David puis replié à Viombois en Meurthe-et-Moselle ).
- Maquis de Chatas qui prendra différents noms: de la Grande Fosse, de Grimaubois, du Col du Las, de Grandrupt, de la Petite Raon, de la Roche Mère Henry.
- Maquis de Lordon ( Lusse ).
- Maquis de Fouchifol ( Coinches) qui se repliera sur le Haut de Steige.
- Maquis de la Charme de l'Ormont ( Tendon).
- Maquis de Corcieux, secondairement sur la commune de La Chapelle.
- Maquis de Malanrupt ( Beauménil ).
- Maquis de Noiregoutte ( Rochesson ).
- Maquis de la Piquante Pierre
( Basse-sur-le-Rupt ).
- Maquis du Peut Haut ( Camp Kœnig ).
- Maquis des Roches de Morteville ( Saint-Maurice ).
- Maquis St-Jacques de Gérardmer.
- Maquis du Séchenat ( Camp Louis ).
- Maquis du Haut du Tem ( hors du département, en Haute-Saône ).
- Maquis des Beuchots à Ternuay ( hors du département, en Haute-Saône ).
- Maquis du Pleinet à Ronchamp ( hors du département, en Haute-Saône ).
- Maquis de Beulotte-St-Laurent ( hors du département, en Haute-Saône ).
Each maquis used one or several areas allocated for receiving parachute drops, some by day and others by night. These areas were endowed with a codename and a key which was either a phrase or a single letter, so that the maquis could be forewarned of an imminent parachute drop of supplies or men. For example, the maquis de la Piquante Pierre used an area in Basse-sur-le-Rupt
with codename Coupole allocated for nighttime drops. Its radio codes were the phrase J'espère vous revoir chérie (I hope to see you again, darling) and the letter U.
The various maquis awaited the order from the allied forces to enter action. The maquis main strategic role was to prepare the arrival of the allied forces by occupying key positions, particularly bridges, and preventing the Germans from regrouping by undertaking widespread operations throughout the Vosges region. When the American 3rd army began its offensive towards the Vosges, most of the Reich's security forces were gathered in the Vosges, principally at Bruyères
; on 5 September Heinrich Himmler
made a short visit to Gerardmer to give orders to the officials of the Wehrmacht
and the SS
and especially to intensify the campaign against the Maquis. This most probably explains the targeted operations against the Maquis thereafter.
The Vosges Maquis whose histories have been particularly well documented were the Maquis de Charmes, the Maquis Viombois, the Maquis Noiregotte, and the Maquis de la Piquante Pierre.
Maquis (World War II)
The Maquis were the predominantly rural guerrilla bands of the French Resistance. Initially they were composed of men who had escaped into the mountains to avoid conscription into Vichy France's Service du travail obligatoire to provide forced labour for Germany...
des Vosges were groups of French resistance
French Resistance
The French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during World War II...
fighters in the Department of the Vosges
Vosges
Vosges is a French department, named after the local mountain range. It contains the hometown of Joan of Arc, Domrémy.-History:The Vosges department is one of the original 83 departments of France, created on February 9, 1790 during the French Revolution. It was made of territories that had been...
during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. They were associated through an amalgamation of different resistance groups roughly when the Conseil national de la Résistance
Conseil National de la Résistance
The Conseil National de la Résistance or the National Council of the Resistance is the body that directed and coordinated the different movements of the French Resistance - the press, trade unions, and members of political parties hostile to the Vichy regime, starting from...
was created on 27 May 1943. Maquis shrubland
Maquis shrubland
thumb|220px|Low Maquis in Corsica.220px|thumb|High macchia in Sardinia.Maquis or macchia is a shrubland biome in the Mediterranean region, typically consisting of densely growing evergreen shrubs such as holm oak, tree heath, strawberry tree, sage, juniper, buckthorn, spurge olive and myrtle...
is a Mediterranean biome
Biome
Biomes are climatically and geographically defined as similar climatic conditions on the Earth, such as communities of plants, animals, and soil organisms, and are often referred to as ecosystems. Some parts of the earth have more or less the same kind of abiotic and biotic factors spread over a...
of dense scrub, which provided the guerrillas with cover.
Organisation of the resistance in the Vosges
At the beginning of 1943 the principal resistance movements operating in the Vosges were:- Ceux de la RésistanceCeux de la RésistanceCeux de la Résistance" was a French resistance movement during the German occupation of France in World War II.At first the members of CDLR distributed copies of the underground newspaper Combat in the north zone of France which was directly occupied by the Germans...
, of the NeufchâteauNeufchâteauNeufchâteau is a Walloon municipality of Belgium located in the province of Luxembourg.On 1 January 2007 the municipality, which covers 113.79 km², had 6,652 inhabitants, giving a population density of 58.5 inhabitants per km².It includes the former municipalities of Grandvoir, Grapfontaine,...
- MirecourtMirecourtMirecourt is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France. Mirecourt is known for lace-making and the manufacture of musical instruments, particularly those of the violin family...
region. This movement took charge of the Noyautage des administrations publiquesNoyautage des administrations publiquesNoyautage des administrations publiques, also known by the abbreviation NAP, was an arm of the French Resistance, started by André Plaisantin of the Combat movement, with the aim of infiltrating the Vichy Government...
. - Those in touch which the special services of the armistice army in the Saint-Dié region. This movement would later rally to the Organisation de résistance de l'arméeOrganisation de résistance de l'arméeThe Organisation de résistance de l'armée, O.R.A. was a French paramilitary resistance organisation during the Second World War...
. - The Organisation civile et militaireOrganisation civile et militaireThe Organisation civile et militaire was one of the great movements of the French Resistance in the zone occupée, the northern German-occupied region of France, during the Second World War....
, which was essentially an organisation of officers covering the RemiremontRemiremontRemiremont is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.Inhabitants are called Romarimontains.-Geography:Remiremont is located on the Moselle, close to its confluence with the Moselotte, southeast of Épinal...
, PlombièresPlombièresPlombières is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Liège. On January 1, 2006, Plombières had a total population of 9,672. The total area is 53.17 km² which gives a population density of 182 inhabitants per km². The municipality Plombières consists of the villages...
, Bains-les-BainsBains-les-BainsBains-les-Bains is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.-External links: http://mairiebains.jimdo.com/...
and Saint-Dié regions. - The Lorraine movement, which originated in Nancy, but had put out feelers in the Vosges. This movement would make a secondary military agreement with the CLDR.
- Libération-NordLibération-NordLibération-Nord was one of the principal resistance movements in the northern occupied zone of France during the Second World War.It was one of the eight great networks to make up the National Council of the Resistance.- History :...
, which had charged itself with helping prisoners to escape. - The Front national which was gradually swallowed up by the Francs-tireurs et partisans français.
The resistance reorganised at this time into four groupings:
- The first, including the Neufchâteau, ChatenoisChâtenoisChâtenois may refer to:* Châtenois, Bas-Rhin, a commune of the French region of Alsace* Châtenois, Haute-Saône, a commune of the French region of Franche-Comté* Châtenois, Jura, a commune of the French region of Franche-Comté...
, Mirecourt and VittelVittelVittel is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.Mineral water is bottled and sold here by Nestlé Waters France, under the Vittel brand.-History:...
, was commanded by Grandjean, alias René. This grouping was the source of the first Maquis des Vosges, in the Lamarche forest between Martigny and RobécourtRobécourtRobécourt is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.-References:*...
, at the place called the Camp de la Délivrance where the francs-tireurs had fought in 1870. Arbuger was the local organizer, assisted by the Guinean Adi Ba, the Sudanese Adama and the committed cheesemaker Picard. - The second grouping was directed by Lucien Méline, then by Delafenêtre after Méline's arrest. It oversaw the sectors of ÉpinalÉpinalÉpinal is a commune in northeastern France and the capital of the Vosges department. Inhabitants are known as Spinaliens.-Geography:The commune has a land area of 59.24 km²...
, DompaireDompaireDompaire is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France....
, CharmesCharmesCharmes may refer to the following places in France:* Charmes, Aisne, a commune in the department of Aisne* Charmes, Allier, a commune in the department of Allier* Charmes, Côte-d'Or, a commune in the department of Côte-d'Or...
, RambervillersRambervillersRambervillers is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.Inhabitants are called Rambuvetais.-Geography:The town is built on the banks of the Mortagne, some to the west of Saint-Dié and to the north-east of Épinal....
and Bains. - The third grouping was to the north-east of the department, and covered the region of Saint-Dié, led by the pastor Valet alias "capitaine Jouvet".
- The fourth grouping extended from CorcieuxCorcieuxCorcieux is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France....
to ThillotThillotThillot is a commune in the Meuse department in Lorraine in north-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Meuse department*Parc naturel régional de Lorraine...
and from DocellesDocellesDocelles is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France....
to GérardmerGérardmerGérardmer is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.-Culture:The Fantastic'Arts festival of horror and fantastic film has been held in Gérardmer each year since 1994.-External links:...
, also including the FaucogneyFaucogney-et-la-MerFaucogney-et-la-Mer is a commune in the Haute-Saône department in the region of Franche-Comté in eastern France.-References:*...
zone in Haute-SaôneHaute-SaôneHaute-Saône is a French department of the Franche-Comté région, named after the Saône River.- History :The department was created in the early years of the French Revolution through the application of a law dated 22 December 1789, from part of the former province of Franche-Comté...
and the ThannThannThann is the name of:* Arrondissement of Thann** Thann, Haut-Rhin** Bitschwiller-lès-Thann* Thann , a Katastralgemeinde in Niederösterreich, Austria* Thann , a Katastralgemeinde in Niederösterreich, Austria...
zone in Alsace. It was led by Commandant Gonand, alias Lucien.
List of maquis in the Vosges department
- First grouping:
- Maquis de Bulgnéville: La Vacheresse, Urville, St-Ouen, Robécourt, Contrexéville.
- Maquis de Liffol: Bois de la Vendue, Bazoilles.
- Maquis de Vaudeville: Coussey.
- Maquis de la forêt de Neufeys: Neufchâteau, Bourlémont.
- Maquis de Châtenois.
- Maquis du Mont St-Jean: Vittel.
- Maquis de Mirecourt: « La Chouette », de la ferme de la Malhaye, du Haut de Recon, du Haut du Chia.
- Maquis du Camp de la Délivrance: Lamarche ( 1er maquis vosgien ).
- Second grouping:
- Maquis de la Cense ( Rambervillers ).
- Maquis de Charmes ( en liaison avec le 1er groupe Lorraine ).
- Maquis de Châtel.
- Maquis de la Forêt du Terne.
- Maquis du Morillon.
- Maquis de Grandrupt.
- Maquis de Xertigny.
- Maquis de St-Nabord.
- Maquis du Haut-du-Bois
Maquis du Haut-du-Bois
The Maquis du Haut-du-Bois, also known as the Maquis d'Éloyes, was a combat unit of the French forces of the interior within the Maquis des Vosges. The unit made a large contribution towards liberating the Éloyes region...
.
- Third grouping:
- Maquis de la Charme de l'Ormont ( Tendon ) devenu le maquis de la Chapelotte, en limite du IVème groupement.
- Maquis de la Chapelotte ( la Tête des Hérins et le Jardin David puis replié à Viombois en Meurthe-et-Moselle ).
- Maquis de Chatas qui prendra différents noms: de la Grande Fosse, de Grimaubois, du Col du Las, de Grandrupt, de la Petite Raon, de la Roche Mère Henry.
- Maquis de Lordon ( Lusse ).
- Maquis de Fouchifol ( Coinches) qui se repliera sur le Haut de Steige.
- Fourth grouping:
- Maquis de la Charme de l'Ormont ( Tendon).
- Maquis de Corcieux, secondairement sur la commune de La Chapelle.
- Maquis de Malanrupt ( Beauménil ).
- Maquis de Noiregoutte ( Rochesson ).
- Maquis de la Piquante Pierre
Basse-sur-le-Rupt
Basse-sur-le-Rupt is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France. Its inhabitants are called Bassurois. It is a mountainous commune of seven hamlets, crossed by the river Rupt. Its landmarks include Le Haut du Roc, Le Pierre des Communes, Le Piquante Pierre and the...
( Basse-sur-le-Rupt ).
- Maquis du Peut Haut ( Camp Kœnig ).
- Maquis des Roches de Morteville ( Saint-Maurice ).
- Maquis St-Jacques de Gérardmer.
- Maquis du Séchenat ( Camp Louis ).
- Maquis du Haut du Tem ( hors du département, en Haute-Saône ).
- Maquis des Beuchots à Ternuay ( hors du département, en Haute-Saône ).
- Maquis du Pleinet à Ronchamp ( hors du département, en Haute-Saône ).
- Maquis de Beulotte-St-Laurent ( hors du département, en Haute-Saône ).
Each maquis used one or several areas allocated for receiving parachute drops, some by day and others by night. These areas were endowed with a codename and a key which was either a phrase or a single letter, so that the maquis could be forewarned of an imminent parachute drop of supplies or men. For example, the maquis de la Piquante Pierre used an area in Basse-sur-le-Rupt
Basse-sur-le-Rupt
Basse-sur-le-Rupt is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France. Its inhabitants are called Bassurois. It is a mountainous commune of seven hamlets, crossed by the river Rupt. Its landmarks include Le Haut du Roc, Le Pierre des Communes, Le Piquante Pierre and the...
with codename Coupole allocated for nighttime drops. Its radio codes were the phrase J'espère vous revoir chérie (I hope to see you again, darling) and the letter U.
The various maquis awaited the order from the allied forces to enter action. The maquis main strategic role was to prepare the arrival of the allied forces by occupying key positions, particularly bridges, and preventing the Germans from regrouping by undertaking widespread operations throughout the Vosges region. When the American 3rd army began its offensive towards the Vosges, most of the Reich's security forces were gathered in the Vosges, principally at Bruyères
Bruyères
Bruyères is a commune in the Vosges department in Lorraine in northeastern France.The town built up around a castle built on a hill in the locality in the 6th century. It was the birthplace of Jean Lurçat, in 1892.-History:...
; on 5 September Heinrich Himmler
Heinrich Himmler
Heinrich Luitpold Himmler was Reichsführer of the SS, a military commander, and a leading member of the Nazi Party. As Chief of the German Police and the Minister of the Interior from 1943, Himmler oversaw all internal and external police and security forces, including the Gestapo...
made a short visit to Gerardmer to give orders to the officials of the Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
and the SS
Schutzstaffel
The Schutzstaffel |Sig runes]]) was a major paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Built upon the Nazi ideology, the SS under Heinrich Himmler's command was responsible for many of the crimes against humanity during World War II...
and especially to intensify the campaign against the Maquis. This most probably explains the targeted operations against the Maquis thereafter.
The Vosges Maquis whose histories have been particularly well documented were the Maquis de Charmes, the Maquis Viombois, the Maquis Noiregotte, and the Maquis de la Piquante Pierre.