| Revision as of 11:46, 31 December 2024 editJASpencer (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers83,969 edits ←Created page with 'Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Misplaced Pages article at fr:Réseau Alibi; see its history for attribution.' | Revision as of 11:47, 31 December 2024 edit undoJASpencer (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers83,969 edits Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Misplaced Pages article at fr:Réseau Alibi; see its history for attribution.Tag: Disambiguation links addedNext edit → | ||
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| {{Portal|French Resistance|World War II}} | |||
| Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Misplaced Pages article at ]; see its history for attribution. | |||
| {{Infobox organization | |||
| | name = Alibi Network | |||
| | native_name = Réseau Alibi | |||
| | formation = July 1940 | |||
| | dissolved = 1944 | |||
| | founder = ] | |||
| | purpose = Intelligence gathering | |||
| | region_served = ] | |||
| | affiliation = ] (SIS), ] | |||
| }} | |||
| The '''Alibi Network''' (1940–1944) was a ] intelligence network created by ]. It operated across ] from July 1940 until the ], involving 450 agents organized into approximately twenty sub-networks and groups. The network transmitted intelligence to the ] (SIS) in ] using around fifteen clandestine ] and suffered only minimal losses, with 15 agents killed over four years (and 20 dead or missing from the Maurice sub-network)​:contentReference{index=0}. | |||
| == History == | |||
| Georges Charaudeau (1908–1990), a right-wing ], had been associated with the ] since 1936. During the ] in June 1940, while attempting to flee to ] via ], British intelligence persuaded him to remain in France to establish an intelligence network. Under the guise of operating a fashion house in ], Charaudeau initiated the Alibi Network on July 1, 1940​:contentReference{index=1}. | |||
| Charaudeau returned to France clandestinely in August 1940 to organize the network. He collaborated with a ] diplomat stationed in ] to transport correspondence, funds, and equipment using diplomatic immunity​:contentReference{index=2}. | |||
| In October 1941, the Phill sub-network suffered its first losses. Seven members were arrested by ] and the ] between October 31 and November 1, 1941. They were interrogated at the ] headquarters near the ], later transferred to the ] (SiPo), and tried on March 20, 1942. Five members were executed at ] on March 21, 1942, and buried anonymously in the condemned section of the ]​:contentReference{index=3}​:contentReference{index=4}. | |||
| The Phill sub-network provided intelligence for the first bombing of the ] factories in March 1942 and informed the SIS about the construction of the ] jet fighter​:contentReference{index=5}​:contentReference{index=6}. | |||
| == Key Figures == | |||
| * **Georges Charaudeau** - Founder and leader. | |||
| * **Docteur Guy Thomas**​:contentReference{index=7}. | |||
| * **Pierre Virlogeux** (1903–1944) - Ceramicist, business owner, and commander of the M.U.R. in ], who died in captivity​:contentReference{index=8}. | |||
| * **Jean Marie Gourcy** - Operator of the "Moulin Bleu" in ], recognized by ] ] for his contributions​:contentReference{index=9}. | |||
| == Achievements == | |||
| The Alibi Network conducted successful operations, including: | |||
| * Establishing maritime routes via ] to ] in the ] area, with eleven crossings attempted from February to August 1944. | |||
| * A French ] working with the ] provided plans for the new ] aircraft and its factory. | |||
| * A supplier to the German military in the Southwest reported logistical data, aiding the identification of troop movements. | |||
| * ] agents tracked German train loads and destinations. | |||
| * Local authorities supplied samples of ] for counterfeiting in London. | |||
| * A member of the network leaked confidential correspondence between ] and ] as well as between ] and ]​:contentReference{index=10}​:contentReference{index=11}. | |||
| == Legacy == | |||
| Despite its success, recognition for the network's members came slowly. ] was posthumously awarded the ] 27 years later, and a request for his inclusion in the ] was denied in 2006. A plaque commemorating the network's efforts was unveiled in Paris on June 20, 2006​:contentReference{index=12}​:contentReference{index=13}. | |||
| == References == | |||
| {{Reflist}} | |||
| == Further Reading == | |||
| * Sylvaine Baehrel, ''Alibi 1940-1944: Histoire d’un réseau de renseignement pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale'', Jean-Michel Place, 2000. ISBN 978-2-85893-605-2. | |||
| * Michel Guillou and Sylvaine Baehrel, "Bref historique des opérations Glover du Réseau Alibi." | |||
| * Michel-Georges Paulin, ''Itinéraire d'un homme libre'', SPE, 2003. | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
Revision as of 11:47, 31 December 2024
| Réseau Alibi | |
| Formation | July 1940 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Georges Charaudeau |
| Dissolved | 1944 |
| Purpose | Intelligence gathering |
| Region served | France |
| Affiliations | Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), Maurice Network |
The Alibi Network (1940–1944) was a French Resistance intelligence network created by Georges Charaudeau. It operated across France from July 1940 until the Liberation of France, involving 450 agents organized into approximately twenty sub-networks and groups. The network transmitted intelligence to the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) in Britain using around fifteen clandestine radio transmitters and suffered only minimal losses, with 15 agents killed over four years (and 20 dead or missing from the Maurice sub-network):contentReference{index=0}.
History
Georges Charaudeau (1908–1990), a right-wing Christian Democrat, had been associated with the French intelligence services since 1936. During the Battle of France in June 1940, while attempting to flee to England via Spain, British intelligence persuaded him to remain in France to establish an intelligence network. Under the guise of operating a fashion house in Madrid, Charaudeau initiated the Alibi Network on July 1, 1940:contentReference{index=1}.
Charaudeau returned to France clandestinely in August 1940 to organize the network. He collaborated with a United States diplomat stationed in Vichy to transport correspondence, funds, and equipment using diplomatic immunity:contentReference{index=2}.
In October 1941, the Phill sub-network suffered its first losses. Seven members were arrested by Henri Lafont and the French Gestapo between October 31 and November 1, 1941. They were interrogated at the Abwehr headquarters near the Bois de Boulogne, later transferred to the Sicherheitspolizei (SiPo), and tried on March 20, 1942. Five members were executed at Fort Mont-Valérien on March 21, 1942, and buried anonymously in the condemned section of the Thiais cemetery:contentReference{index=3}:contentReference{index=4}.
The Phill sub-network provided intelligence for the first bombing of the Renault factories in March 1942 and informed the SIS about the construction of the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter:contentReference{index=5}:contentReference{index=6}.
Key Figures
- **Georges Charaudeau** - Founder and leader.
- **Docteur Guy Thomas**:contentReference{index=7}.
- **Pierre Virlogeux** (1903–1944) - Ceramicist, business owner, and commander of the M.U.R. in Auvergne, who died in captivity:contentReference{index=8}.
- **Jean Marie Gourcy** - Operator of the "Moulin Bleu" in Thiers, recognized by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery for his contributions:contentReference{index=9}.
Achievements
The Alibi Network conducted successful operations, including:
- Establishing maritime routes via motorboats to England in the Île-Grande area, with eleven crossings attempted from February to August 1944.
- A French test pilot working with the Wehrmacht provided plans for the new Heinkel He 111 aircraft and its factory.
- A supplier to the German military in the Southwest reported logistical data, aiding the identification of troop movements.
- SNCF agents tracked German train loads and destinations.
- Local authorities supplied samples of ration cards for counterfeiting in London.
- A member of the network leaked confidential correspondence between Philippe Pétain and Adolf Hitler as well as between Otto Abetz and Pierre Laval:contentReference{index=10}:contentReference{index=11}.
Legacy
Despite its success, recognition for the network's members came slowly. Georges Paulin was posthumously awarded the Médaille de la Résistance 27 years later, and a request for his inclusion in the Légion d'honneur was denied in 2006. A plaque commemorating the network's efforts was unveiled in Paris on June 20, 2006:contentReference{index=12}:contentReference{index=13}.
References
Further Reading
- Sylvaine Baehrel, Alibi 1940-1944: Histoire d’un réseau de renseignement pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, Jean-Michel Place, 2000. ISBN 978-2-85893-605-2.
- Michel Guillou and Sylvaine Baehrel, "Bref historique des opérations Glover du Réseau Alibi."
- Michel-Georges Paulin, Itinéraire d'un homme libre, SPE, 2003.