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The '''Alibi Network''' (1940–1944) was a French resistance intelligence network created by ] during the ]. The '''Alibi Network''' (1940–1944) was a French resistance intelligence network created by ] during the ].


Active throughout ] from July 1940 until the ], the Alibi Network consisted of approximately 450 agents organized into about twenty sub-networks and groups. The network transmitted intelligence to the British ] (MI6) via around fifteen clandestine radio transmitters. Despite its scale and effectiveness, Alibi suffered relatively few casualties, with fifteen deaths recorded over its four-year existence (and twenty killed or missing in the Maurice sub-network). Active throughout ] from July 1940 until the ], the Alibi Network consisted of approximately 450 agents organized into about twenty sub-networks and groups. The network transmitted intelligence to the British ] (MI6) via around fifteen clandestine radio transmitters. Despite its scale and effectiveness, Alibi suffered relatively few casualties, with fifteen deaths recorded over its four-year existence (and twenty killed or missing in the Maurice sub-network).


== History of the Alibi Network == == History ==
] (1908–1990), a right-wing Christian Democrat, had connections with French intelligence services since 1936. During the ] in June 1940, Charaudeau, intending to flee to ] via ], was persuaded by the head of British intelligence to remain and engage in espionage. To cover his activities, Charaudeau established a couture house in ], and the Alibi Network was born on July 1, 1940. He returned clandestinely to France in August 1940 to organize a large intelligence network, aided by a diplomat from the ] Embassy in ], who provided support for transporting documents, funds, and equipment. ] (1908–1990), a right-wing Christian Democrat, had connections with French intelligence services since 1936. During the ] in June 1940, Charaudeau, intending to flee to ] via ], was persuaded by the head of British intelligence to remain and engage in espionage. To cover his activities, Charaudeau established a couture house in ], and the Alibi Network was born on July 1, 1940. He returned clandestinely to France in August 1940 to organize a large intelligence network, aided by a diplomat from the ] Embassy in ], who provided support for transporting documents, funds, and equipment.


In October 1941, the network suffered its first losses. The Phill sub-network, established in October 1940, was decimated. Seven members were arrested between October 31 and November 1, 1941, by ] and collaborators of the ] on Rue Lauriston. They were interrogated at the ] headquarters near the ] and later at the ] (SiPo) offices. On March 20, 1942, five of the arrested were sentenced to death by the ] and executed at the ] on March 21, 1942. In October 1941, the network suffered its first losses. The Phill sub-network, established in October 1940, was decimated. Seven members were arrested between October 31 and November 1, 1941,<ref name="ArchivesJudiciaires">Archives judiciaires du procès Bonny-Lafont (1944) et dossier d'instruction du procès Durren-Berger (1945) - Archives de France.</ref> by ] and collaborators of the ] on Rue Lauriston. They were interrogated at the ] headquarters near the ] and later at the ] (SiPo) offices.<ref name="TémoignagesSleator">Testimonies of Aileen-Mary Sleator and her daughter Danièle Schoofs.</ref> On March 20, 1942, five of the arrested were sentenced to death by the ] and executed at ] on March 21, 1942.<ref name="Jugement">Ref Aufhebungsliste aus 1942 - Judgment no. RW 35 G-1, communicated by Bundesarchiv, reference ZNS-129-Paulin, dated 08/10/2002.</ref>


The executed members included: The executed members included:
* ], an aeronautics industrialist, * {{ill|Jacques Kellner|fr|v=sup}}, an aeronautics industrialist
* ], an automotive designer and aerodynamicist, * ], an automotive designer and aerodynamicist
* Robert Stéphane Étienne, an aeronautical engineer, * Robert Stéphane Étienne, an aeronautical engineer
* Fernand Eugène Fenzi, director of the Paris School of Architecture, * Fernand Eugène Fenzi, director of the Paris School of Architecture
* Roger Léopold Alfred Raven, an automotive prototype worker. * Roger Léopold Alfred Raven, an automotive prototype worker


Two others received five-year sentences and were deported: Two others received five-year sentences and were deported:
* Aileen Mary Sleator, interned in ] and ], returned on June 1, 1945, * Aileen Mary Sleator, interned in ] and ], returned on June 1
* Marius Antonin Roubille, a ] controller, who was killed in ] in May 1945. * Marius Antonin Roubille, a ] controller, who was killed in ] in May 1945


The Phill sub-network organized the first bombing of the ] factories in March 1942 and provided MI6 with intelligence on the development of the ]. It took 27 years for Georges Paulin to be awarded the ] by France. However, a request for his posthumous admission to the ] in 2006 was declined. A plaque honoring the Phill network was unveiled on June 20, 2006, in Paris. The Phill sub-network organized the first bombing of the ] factories in March 1942<ref name="Baehrel">{{cite book |last1=Baehrel |first1=Sylvaine |title=Alibi 1940-1944: History of an Intelligence Network during the Second World War |publisher=Jean-Michel Place |year=2000 |isbn=978-2-85893-605-2 |pages=213}}</ref> and provided MI6 with intelligence on the development of the ].<ref name="Perrier">{{cite book |last1=Perrier |first1=Jacques |title=The Liberation in Hauts-de-Seine: 1944-1994, 50th Anniversary |publisher=Cyrnéa Editions |year=1994 |isbn=978-2-402-06516-0 |url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k3325739p/f1.image.texteImage |language=fr |access-date=2024-12-31}}</ref> It took 27 years for Georges Paulin to be awarded the ] by France. However, a request for his posthumous admission to the ] in 2006 was declined. A plaque honoring the Phill network was unveiled on June 20, 2006, in Paris.


In May 1942, under German pressure, Charaudeau returned clandestinely to France to continue his work. Among Alibi's sub-networks was the ] led by Colonel ]. In May 1942, under German pressure, Charaudeau returned clandestinely to France to continue his work. Among Alibi's sub-networks was the ] led by Colonel ] gathered intelligence from numerous members of the ].


After November 1942, many members of the ] joined the network, strengthening its capabilities. In April 1944, Alibi integrated the ], which had suffered significant losses. After November 1942, many members of the ] joined the network, strengthening its capabilities. In April 1944, Alibi integrated the ], which had suffered significant losses.


== Achievements of the Alibi Network == == Achievements ==
* By early 1944, Alibi established maritime links to ] via motorboats from the ] region. * By early 1944, Alibi established maritime links to ] via motorboats from the ] region.
* It obtained detailed plans of the ] from a French test pilot. * It obtained detailed plans of the ] from a French test pilot.
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* Correspondence between ] and ], and between ] and ], was sent to London through the network. * Correspondence between ] and ], and between ] and ], was sent to London through the network.


== Key Figures == == Key figures ==
* Dr. Guy Thomas, * Dr. Guy Thomas
* ] (1903–1944), leader of the ] in Auvergne, * {{ill|Pierre Virlogeux|fr|v=sup}} (1903–1944), leader of the ] in Auvergne
* ] (1916–1995), proprietor of the "Moulin Bleu." * ] (1916–1995), proprietor of the "Moulin Bleu"


== References == == References ==
{{reflist}}
<references />


{{Portal|French Resistance|World War II}} {{Portal bar|France}}

⚫ ]
{{French Resistance}}

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] ]
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Latest revision as of 06:53, 10 January 2025

Alibi Network
Réseau Alibi
FormationJuly 1, 1940
FounderGeorges Charaudeau
Dissolved1944
TypeIntelligence network
Location
  • France
Key peopleGeorges Charaudeau, François de La Rocque
AffiliationsBritish Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)

The Alibi Network (1940–1944) was a French resistance intelligence network created by Georges Charaudeau during the Second World War.

Active throughout France from July 1940 until the Liberation of France, the Alibi Network consisted of approximately 450 agents organized into about twenty sub-networks and groups. The network transmitted intelligence to the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) via around fifteen clandestine radio transmitters. Despite its scale and effectiveness, Alibi suffered relatively few casualties, with fifteen deaths recorded over its four-year existence (and twenty killed or missing in the Maurice sub-network).

History

Georges Charaudeau (1908–1990), a right-wing Christian Democrat, had connections with French intelligence services since 1936. During the Battle of France in June 1940, Charaudeau, intending to flee to England via Spain, was persuaded by the head of British intelligence to remain and engage in espionage. To cover his activities, Charaudeau established a couture house in Madrid, and the Alibi Network was born on July 1, 1940. He returned clandestinely to France in August 1940 to organize a large intelligence network, aided by a diplomat from the United States Embassy in Vichy, who provided support for transporting documents, funds, and equipment.

In October 1941, the network suffered its first losses. The Phill sub-network, established in October 1940, was decimated. Seven members were arrested between October 31 and November 1, 1941, by Henri Lafont and collaborators of the French Gestapo on Rue Lauriston. They were interrogated at the Abwehr headquarters near the Bois de Boulogne and later at the Sicherheitspolizei (SiPo) offices. On March 20, 1942, five of the arrested were sentenced to death by the German military administration in occupied France and executed at Fort Mont-Valérien on March 21, 1942.

The executed members included:

  • Jacques Kellner, an aeronautics industrialist
  • Georges Paulin, an automotive designer and aerodynamicist
  • Robert Stéphane Étienne, an aeronautical engineer
  • Fernand Eugène Fenzi, director of the Paris School of Architecture
  • Roger Léopold Alfred Raven, an automotive prototype worker

Two others received five-year sentences and were deported:

The Phill sub-network organized the first bombing of the Renault factories in March 1942 and provided MI6 with intelligence on the development of the Messerschmitt Me 262. It took 27 years for Georges Paulin to be awarded the Resistance Medal by France. However, a request for his posthumous admission to the Legion of Honour in 2006 was declined. A plaque honoring the Phill network was unveiled on June 20, 2006, in Paris.

In May 1942, under German pressure, Charaudeau returned clandestinely to France to continue his work. Among Alibi's sub-networks was the Klan Network led by Colonel François de La Rocque gathered intelligence from numerous members of the French Social Party.

After November 1942, many members of the Vichy Army joined the network, strengthening its capabilities. In April 1944, Alibi integrated the Maurice Network, which had suffered significant losses.

Achievements

  • By early 1944, Alibi established maritime links to England via motorboats from the Île-Grande region.
  • It obtained detailed plans of the Heinkel He 111 from a French test pilot.
  • Intelligence on German military supply orders provided insights into troop movements.
  • SNCF agents reported on the contents and destinations of German trains.
  • Municipal officials supplied sample ration cards, enabling London to produce forgeries.
  • Correspondence between Philippe Pétain and Adolf Hitler, and between Otto Abetz and Pierre Laval, was sent to London through the network.

Key figures

References

  1. Archives judiciaires du procès Bonny-Lafont (1944) et dossier d'instruction du procès Durren-Berger (1945) - Archives de France.
  2. Testimonies of Aileen-Mary Sleator and her daughter Danièle Schoofs.
  3. Ref Aufhebungsliste aus 1942 - Judgment no. RW 35 G-1, communicated by Bundesarchiv, reference ZNS-129-Paulin, dated 08/10/2002.
  4. Baehrel, Sylvaine (2000). Alibi 1940-1944: History of an Intelligence Network during the Second World War. Jean-Michel Place. p. 213. ISBN 978-2-85893-605-2.
  5. Perrier, Jacques (1994). The Liberation in Hauts-de-Seine: 1944-1994, 50th Anniversary (in French). Cyrnéa Editions. ISBN 978-2-402-06516-0. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
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