René Hardy
Encyclopedia
René Hardy was a French resistant
during World War II
. He was captured by the Gestapo
and agreed to work with Klaus Barbie
although it is not clear to what extent. He may have given information leading to the capture of Jean Moulin
and of a number of other resistance leaders on 21 June 1943, at a meeting where Hardy escaped. This led many Resistance leaders to suspect him of being a traitor, and Lucie Aubrac
sent him a pot of poisoned jam, which he did not eat.
After the war, Hardy was tried twice for collaboration, but was found not guilty, despite committing perjury at the first trial. Shortly before his death he was accused again by Klaus Barbie
, but died before any new charges were brought.
Hardy was also a novelist. His book Bitter Victory
(French title Amère victoire) was adapted for the cinema in a Franco-US co-production starring Richard Burton
.
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...
during World War II
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...
. He was captured 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...
and agreed to work with Klaus Barbie
Klaus Barbie
Nikolaus 'Klaus' Barbie was an SS-Hauptsturmführer , Gestapo member and war criminal. He was known as the Butcher of Lyon.- Early life :...
although it is not clear to what extent. He may have given information leading to the capture of Jean Moulin
Jean Moulin
Jean Moulin was a high-profile member of the French Resistance during World War II. He is remembered today as an emblem of the Resistance primarily due to his role in unifying the French resistance under de Gaulle and his courage and death at the hands of the Germans.-Before the war:Moulin was...
and of a number of other resistance leaders on 21 June 1943, at a meeting where Hardy escaped. This led many Resistance leaders to suspect him of being a traitor, and Lucie Aubrac
Lucie Aubrac
Lucie Samuel born Lucie Bernard , and better known as Lucie Aubrac, was a French history teacher and member of the French Resistance during World War II....
sent him a pot of poisoned jam, which he did not eat.
After the war, Hardy was tried twice for collaboration, but was found not guilty, despite committing perjury at the first trial. Shortly before his death he was accused again by Klaus Barbie
Klaus Barbie
Nikolaus 'Klaus' Barbie was an SS-Hauptsturmführer , Gestapo member and war criminal. He was known as the Butcher of Lyon.- Early life :...
, but died before any new charges were brought.
Hardy was also a novelist. His book Bitter Victory
Bitter Victory
Bitter Victory is a 1957 black and white French-American international co-production film shot in CinemaScope, directed by Nicholas Ray....
(French title Amère victoire) was adapted for the cinema in a Franco-US co-production starring Richard Burton
Richard Burton
Richard Burton, CBE was a Welsh actor. He was nominated seven times for an Academy Award, six of which were for Best Actor in a Leading Role , and was a recipient of BAFTA, Golden Globe and Tony Awards for Best Actor. Although never trained as an actor, Burton was, at one time, the highest-paid...
.