Organisation civile et militaire
Encyclopedia
The Organisation civile et militaire (OCM, "Civil and military organization") 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.
The OCM was one of the eight great networks of resistance which made up the National Council of the Resistance.
through the amalgamation of the Équipe française d'organisation du redressement of the industrialist Jacques Arthuys (the "rue de Logenbach group") and the Confédération des travailleurs intellectuels inspired by Maxime Blocq-Mascart. From January 1941, employees of the public works ministry reinforced the OCM, under the leadership of André Boulloche
and the couple Georges et Raymonde Ricroch. The OCM also recruited from the bourgeoisie
, industry, businesspeople, former soldiers, and professionals such as architect
s, lawyer
s and academics. Two political tendencies were particularly represented: conservatives
who were militaristic
but Germanophobic and opposed to national revolution, and socialists. The former were the majority initially, but the latter became important as the war progressed.
In late 1941 the OCM only had a few hundred members; two years later, according to Guillaume Piketty, they had 45,000.
The OCM's organisation was endowed with military rigour.
The OCM was decapitated in December 1941 with the arrest of Arthuys; Colonel Alfred Touny, formerly in charge of the second bureau of the fourth army became the new leader. Pierre Brossolette
put the OCM in contact with colonel Rémy (Gilbert Renault
), head of the Confrérie Notre-Dame (CND) network, which was linked to the Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action
of colonel Passy (André Dewavrin
). Touny then organised the Centurie network to coordinate the OCM and the CND. The OCM was also linked with the Hector d'Alfred Heurteaux network and with Libération Nord. Touny's reorganisation, to gether with the help of the CND and the influx of socialist fighters including Guy Mollet
allowed the OCM to take on a new dimension in 1942-1943. Despite some sharp blows dealt by the Gestapo
, including the dismantling of the CND in November 1943 and Touny's arrest in February 1944, the OCM stood up, particularly thanks to Jacques Piette].
In total, 4,000 OCM members were killed, shot, assassinated or died following deportation.
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...
in the zone occupée
Zone occupée
The zone occupée was the area of France where German occupying troops were deployed during the Second World War after the signature of the Second Armistice at Compiègne...
, the northern German
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
-occupied region of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, during the Second World War.
The OCM was one of the eight great networks of resistance which made up the National Council of the Resistance.
History
The Organisation civile et militaire was founded in December 1940 in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
through the amalgamation of the Équipe française d'organisation du redressement of the industrialist Jacques Arthuys (the "rue de Logenbach group") and the Confédération des travailleurs intellectuels inspired by Maxime Blocq-Mascart. From January 1941, employees of the public works ministry reinforced the OCM, under the leadership of André Boulloche
André Boulloche
André Boulloche was a French politician who belonged to the Socialist party....
and the couple Georges et Raymonde Ricroch. The OCM also recruited from the bourgeoisie
Bourgeoisie
In sociology and political science, bourgeoisie describes a range of groups across history. In the Western world, between the late 18th century and the present day, the bourgeoisie is a social class "characterized by their ownership of capital and their related culture." A member of the...
, industry, businesspeople, former soldiers, and professionals such as architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
s, lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
s and academics. Two political tendencies were particularly represented: conservatives
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
who were militaristic
Militarism
Militarism is defined as: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests....
but Germanophobic and opposed to national revolution, and socialists. The former were the majority initially, but the latter became important as the war progressed.
In late 1941 the OCM only had a few hundred members; two years later, according to Guillaume Piketty, they had 45,000.
The OCM's organisation was endowed with military rigour.
The OCM was decapitated in December 1941 with the arrest of Arthuys; Colonel Alfred Touny, formerly in charge of the second bureau of the fourth army became the new leader. Pierre Brossolette
Pierre Brossolette
Pierre Brossolette was a French journalist, left-wing politician, a top leader and major hero of French Resistance.-Education and journalism:...
put the OCM in contact with colonel Rémy (Gilbert Renault
Gilbert Renault
Gilbert Renault was known during the French Resistance under the name Colonel Rémy. He is one of the most famous secret agents of occupied France during the Second World war, and was known under various pseudonyms such as Raymond, Jean-Luc, Morin, Watteau, Roulier, Beauce and...
), head of the Confrérie Notre-Dame (CND) network, which was linked to the Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action
Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action
The Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action , commonly referred as the BCRA was the World War II-era forerunner of the SDECE, the French intelligence service...
of colonel Passy (André Dewavrin
André Dewavrin
Andre Dewavrin was a French officer who served with Free French Forces intelligence services during World War II.He was born in Paris, the son of a businessman...
). Touny then organised the Centurie network to coordinate the OCM and the CND. The OCM was also linked with the Hector d'Alfred Heurteaux network and with Libération Nord. Touny's reorganisation, to gether with the help of the CND and the influx of socialist fighters including Guy Mollet
Guy Mollet
Guy Mollet was a French Socialist politician. He led the French Section of the Workers' International party from 1946 to 1969 and was Prime Minister in 1956–1957.-Early life and World War II:...
allowed the OCM to take on a new dimension in 1942-1943. Despite some sharp blows dealt by the Gestapo
Gestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
, including the dismantling of the CND in November 1943 and Touny's arrest in February 1944, the OCM stood up, particularly thanks to Jacques Piette].
In total, 4,000 OCM members were killed, shot, assassinated or died following deportation.
Principal members
- Jacques Arthuys
- Maxime Blocq-Mascart
- Roland Farjon, chief of the Northern area
- Moreau Girard, head of the Bretangne and Normandy area
- André Grandclément, head of region B (south-west)
- Georges IzardGeorges IzardGeorges Izard was a French politician, lawyer, journalist and essayist.-Life:He was named chief of staff to Charles Daniélou, then the minister of the merchant marine, whose daughter he married in 1929...
who would be come secretary-general of the OCM in 1945 - Véra Obolensky
- Marc O'Neill, head of region P (Île-de-France and Orléans)
- Jacques Piette
- Jacques-Henri Simon
- Alfred Touny
- Charles Verny, head of the youth wing OCM jeune