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Revision as of 11:47, 31 December 2024 editJASpencer (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 added← Previous edit Revision as of 11:50, 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.Next edit →
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{{Portal|French Resistance|World War II}}
{{Infobox organization {{Infobox organization
| name = Alibi Network | name = Alibi Network
| native_name = Réseau Alibi | native_name = Réseau Alibi
| formation = July 1940 | formation = July 1, 1940
⚫ | founder = Georges Charaudeau
⚫ | dissolved = 1944
⚫ | type = Intelligence network
⚫ | founder = ]
| location = France
⚫ | purpose = Intelligence gathering
⚫ | dissolved = 1944
| region_served = ]
| key_people = Georges Charaudeau, François de La Rocque
| affiliation = ] (SIS), ]
| affiliations = British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)
}} }}


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


⚫ 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 ==
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}.


== History of the Alibi Network ==
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}.
] (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 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}. 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.


The executed members included:
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}.
* ], an aeronautics industrialist,
* ], 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:
== Key Figures ==
* Aileen Mary Sleator, interned in ] and ], returned on June 1, 1945,
* **Georges Charaudeau** - Founder and leader.
* Marius Antonin Roubille, a ] controller, who was killed in ] in May 1945.
* **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}.


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.
== 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.

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Revision as of 11:50, 31 December 2024

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 of the Alibi Network

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 Militärbefehlshaber Frankreich and executed at the 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.