Memories of the Second World War

The situation of the Valley during the Second World War

With the German occupation firmly installed in France, day to day life was difficult for most families. Food shortages and rationing, curfews and identity controls. The able manpower were forced to work for the Germans which left many villages empty of men. Many youngsters (teenagers) fled to join the Resistance as the Allies approached pushing the Axis back to the Germany border.

  • Milice (Militia) who worked with the Germans
  • FFI (Interrior French Forces)
  • Maquis (French Resistance) in the region of the Valley: Sombernon, Madacasgar, Liberté, Koening, Lusigny sur Ouche.
  • SAS, from Great Britain, secretly installed in the Morvan providing support and logisitcs to the resitance.

Months of attacks on railway lines, bridges, roads and other important sites, helped weaken the Germans before they began their retreat.

For more information about the World War II please check the sites www.worldwar-2.net and www.WorldWar2History.info

About this text

The following text has been translated with the kind permission of Pierre LALIRE whom we would like to thank for his generous offer in allowing us to publish the text on the web. The text concerns events in the Valley prior to the liberation of Dijon, 6th to the 10th SEPTEMBER 1944.


Why write this memorandom

Since many years, my wife tells me about the tragic events that she lived through, the week before the liberation of Sainte Marie sur Ouche, the begining of September 1944, whilst she was a monitor at school sumer camp located in the boarding school. Her story has been confimed, or rather completed by a friend Etienne Jovignot, who was also present at Sainte Marire at the same time and lived through other dramatic episodes.

Numerous manifestations in "Memory" of acts of war lived 60 years ago were organised in 2004 on the French soil, this bought me to deepen my knowledge of what had happened at Sainte Marie and Pont de Pany during the week before the liberation of the villages. I therefore contacted inhabitants of this epoc who were personally concerned for different reasons; they happily told me or wrote their stories, which were often tragic.

I thought it would be useful to leave this written Memory concerning these events for the community of the village: for those who did not experience them, for the new inhabitants and for the young. This is the history the region.

As for the presentaiton, I hesitate between two forms

  • to group all the texte and quote them in a chronological order of events
  • allow the witnesses to speak, each in turn, allowing the reader to situate each story in its own time and to better share what each actor lived through.

I choose the second form, thus not altering what has been told by the participants

I thank all the witnesses who have responded to my demand. I am consious of my request for these people to place these laborious and painful memories in the forefront of their thoughts, for a serious drama, often still present in their eyes although it hapened 60 years ago, whilst they were but children or yougsters.

I also thank the council who where kind enough to receive this project and in helping in the distribution in schools and its conservation in the council archives.

Pierre LALIRE

The eye-witnesses:

interviews with


Story of what happened told by a school holiday camp monitor

6 to 10 September 1944

ETIENNE JOVIGNOT

During the Second World War the Valley Ouche was a very attractive place for resistance against the Nazis. It is even said that the combat at the begining of September at Sainte Marie helped in the liberation of Dijon "with no fighting", during the night of the 10th-11th September 1944.

Whatever, I have no intention to tell the history of these battles for the liberation, which were complicated, but only to evoque, 60 years after the events, certain events which have remained in my memory since I was 20 years old.

Summer 1944 was not calm in the valley; the nights were punctuated with the sounds of machine gun fire; with doubt the maquisards (the French Resistance) training their young recruits in the use of weapons. We also knew through my brother, the Abbey Jovignot, who served the parish of Gergueil, that a British commando unit was installed on the hill top near the fame "de Rolle", between Détain, Bruant, Saint Jean de Boeuf and Gergueil: they were looking after the liason with the Resistance and recieved the parachute drops.

In the summer 44, I was a monitor at the school holiday camp at Gissey sur Ouche for children from the Maitrise of Dijon. Whilst I was walking with a dozen boys, in the forest of Marigny, above Saint Victor, we arrived at the ruins of a fortified astle, when we were stopped by a group of men and women, apparently expecting us. "You'll have to go back", said one of them "and go back down as quickly as possible". Afraid, most of the boys moved closer to me, but one of the yougsters shouted "There"s a body in the well... and it stinks". A heavy silence. "Now you know why we do not want people walking by this place", said a woman from the group. I now understood that we were in a nest of Resistance and that there had been some fighting.

I presented myself as the brother of the Abbey of Jovignot, priest at Sainte Marie. The atmosphere calms: "We know him". I explain that we are from the summer camp, as many parents, mostly from Dijon, had confided their children to us, to protect them from the bombing raids and possible fighting, but also to allow them to benefit from the country air during a difficult school term (lack of food for many). So we have to be in the country and woods. "Of course" said a man of 40 years of age, who presents himself as the group leader. "You couldn't have guessed that we had shot some French Militia, who came to attack us. But promise me you utmost discreation and that of your boys." So I explained to the children, that they should not tell anybody else what they had seen... or smelt, as it would put in peril the lives of Resitance members who were fighting for us. They unamiously agreed.

Before leaving, I asked the cheif in a low voice, if he could cover the bodies of Militia with earth. "Its more hygenic and humain". His handshake confirmed that it would be done.

Tuesday, 5th September : My father and I were climbing to Liau, a forest hill between Sainte Marie and the farm "Grand Mont", to cut wood. The sky was blue, but during the afternoon, we hear thunder far away."Hey, a thunder storm ? Strange". We stop working to better listen. My father with a big smile taps me on the shoulder "And that's not thunder. It's the canon of the liberation, and listen well, it's coming from the South. They've advanced much quicker than in Normandy". Returning from Liau, we had a passionate talk about how Dijon would be liberated. "I hope", said my father "that it will less difficult that Caen". I remark that at the pace with which the Allies "moved up" from the beaches of the Provence, the balance of troops is no loner the same inNormandy. At that time nither of us think that the liberation of Dijon would in part pass through Sainte Maire and Pont de Pany.

Wednesday 6th September : At 8h30 in the morning, I was in the main street of Saint Marie. I was walkng in the direction Pont de Pany to Gissey. I hear a raffal of machine gun fire, close by, coming from the road to Gissey. A few seconds later, a German truck arrives at a crazy speed and misses the corner of the road beside the church and crashes into a Chestnut tree. Five soldiers are upside down, wounded but alive.I hear them, after a long silence due to the schock, trying to get out. I approached the vehicle and with much effort open one of the doors. One of the soldiers, who must have been less hurt, threatens me with his weapon and shouts "Maquis ! Maquis!". In my bad German I explain to him, that if I do not have a gun its because I'm not in the Maquis. I noticed that his comrades were bleeding a in a pitous state. I propse to all of them to come to my house for first aid. They hesitate and then accept when understanding that my home is the prebytery, rented by my elder brother who is the village priest. Rapidly the house is transformed into a "Country Hospital", my nother, sister and some neighbours helping the wounded.

It remained to negociate with the Resistance, the status of the wounded Germans. I take the road to Gissey to meet the Resistance members. Most importantly they wanted to reccuperatre the weapons left in the truck and to verify the condition of the injured. I ask them to leave the Germans, as it is certain that more soldiers would be sent by "Kommandantur" the to look for the others. The village would have been burnt and the villager shot if we did not give back the wounded. The leader accepts to leave 3 wounded Germans, but takes 2 soldier, in better condition as "POWs". Both of the POW's were executed on sunday 10th September after the village was liberated, despit the our protests.

The rest of the day concered the evacuation of Sainte Marie to the other villages in the hills, away from the main roads and where the Germans no longer ventured because of fear of the Maquis. The people of Gergueil organised the barns, made beds for the old folks and reviewed food. Other villages such as Agey also became mobilized to help.

At 19.00 hrs (German time), the sun still shines et it is still hot for the first days of September 1944, when a column of German vehicles and motobikes arrives in the Sainte Marie and stop in front of the church, where there are already villagers grouped, troubled by the idea of leaving their homes. The officer, who spoke correct French asks where are the wounded soldiers that they have come to collect. They enter our dining-room where the three "remaining" wounded are laying. We are very worried as we assume that they will ask about the other two members (taken by the Resistance). To our surprise they ask no questions and the three wounded also say nothing! During the day we find out that they were forced to join the German army: Polish ? Alsacien? we will never know. The officer orders his soldiers to bring all the villagers to the main square by the church... Quickly accomplished as there were few people remaining. He orders the wounded to be taken on to a vehicle, then climbs the stairs to the church ans shouts aloud "You are all Resistance members, but as you have treated our wounded we will not burn the village, but if, when leaving here we are attacked by you Resistance friends, we will immediately return and burn the village, shooting some of the people! Understood!" The German squandron leaves in the direction of Pont de Pany and after a minute we hear machine gun fire of the Maquis hidding along the canal.

The inhabitants remaining in the village had an immense anguise when hraing the gun fire. Some fell to their knees and asked the Abbey Jovignot to give a collective final absolution. He does this from the porch of the church and cries out "Now save yourselves and escape to the other side of the canal, as far away as possible. Go to the village of Gergueil, they are waiting for you." The crowd disperses to escape the return of the German squadron. We all knew what had happened at Oradour sur Glane. However the Germans did not come back. Later on the the road to Pont de Pany, we found traces of blood. There had been wounded, perhaps some killed amongst the Germans. The office had judged preferable not to expose his soldiers to the risk as Resistance were numerous and fear of the village.

In the evening many of the villagers from Sainte Marie reached Gergueil via the forest, where the welcome ws excellent. Others went to different villages where they had family or friends. The School Camp found refuge in Agey, where the conditions were excellent, especially the food (very appreciated during at time).

During the nigth 6th to 7th Spetember, parish members find the Abbey Jovignot : "Is it possible to take Mr Henry to the hospital at Dijon?", Mr Henry is a older man, wounded on the morning of the 6th in his garden, whilst watching the German truck pass by. He had received first-aid but now needed to be operated urgently. One of the Maquis leaders in the village had agreed to allow a vehicle from the Resistance to take Mr Henry to their own "country hospital" to be operated. This meant having to send a message requesting help to the hospital betweeen Pouilly en Auxois and Vitteaux. "We thought of you Mr the Abbey, as we always see you on your bicycle riding from one village to another". The abbey replies "It's true, I know all the tracks and roads, also the location of the Resistance's hospital. The Maquis leader gave the abbey a message, telling him to hide it in his clothes. Smiling the Abbey says "In case of a bad meeting, my cassock, often emcombruant, will protect me!" We follow the small light on the bicycle as the priest of Sainte Maries rides away on the road to the village of Agey. Early in the morning, we are all relieved as the abbey Jovignot returns in good health. He had been warmly welcomed by the Maquis in the hospital and a car would be sent for Mr Henry. The ambulance of fourtune arrives shortly after.

We then climb slowly up the hillto the village of Gergueil via "Liau", with our ruck sacks. We find other inhabitants from Sainte Marie, I'm nominated as a "intendant" because I knew the farmers of the village... and at Gergueil everybody is a bit of a farmer.

The groupe of "refugees" remained at Gergueil until Sunday 10th or Monday 11th of September, however with some people going to and from Sainte Marie, mainly the people with animals to feed. A certain number of these people stayed in Saint Marie and were present during the battle of Saturday 9th which left 1 dead and 1 wounded amognst the civilians.

Thursday 7th September : This is the most tragic day of the week before the the liberation. A group of young Maquis are arrested by the Germans, leaving the village in direction of Pont de Pany, two manage to escape, but the 6 others, including Christiane Perceret (a 17 year old grammar school girl appreciated for her dynamism) and Pierre Lessiau (son of Professor at Carnot School in Dijon) are shot to death in front of the house of Mr And Mrs Guenot. Their bodies are found the next morning by Mrs Guenot abd her neice who came to feed their animals. The outside wall and the room which is on the roadside had numerous bullet holes.

Samedi 9 septembre : Une colonne de soldats allemands à pied, venant sans doute du centre de la France, se repliant vers l'est, s'installe à Saint Marie pour se reposer et manger. Le village comportait alors deux puits d'eau potable, facilement accessibles, l'un sur la place de l'école, l'autre sur ce qui est devenu "la place Nasicaa". A partir de ces deux puits, où ils viennent chercher de l'eau et se rafraîchir, les allemands occupent l'ensemble de Sainte Marie, quand brusquement plusieurs mitrailleuses, placées à des points stratégiques aux différents sorties de Sainte Marie, se mettent à crépiter: c'est le maquis d'Arnay le Duc, conduit par son chef, le Docteur Nasicaa, qui avec 9 hommes bien entrainés, engage le combat.

Saturday 9th September : A coloumn of German soldiers arrive on foot, probably from the central France, retreating to the East, they install at Sainte Marie to rest and eat. The village had two wells with fresh water and easily accessible, one by the school and the other at what we now call the "Place Nasicaa". From these wells, where the germans refreashed themselves, they occupied all of the village, when suddenly machine guns fired, placed strategically on the exit points of Sainte Marie. It was the Maquis of Arnay le Duc with their leader Doctor Nasicaa and 9 well trained men engaged in the combat.

The Germans surprised, disorientated, gather their weapons and began to shoot anywhere, at the houses, the windows that were open. This is how the teacher Miss Bazerolle was injured. My father and brother take shelter, lying down in the kitchen while the bullets flew by on the 1st floor, braking things in the bedroom. A young German soldier suddenly entered the presbertry, with no weapon and afraid. He makes signs to my father that he wants to hide under the staircase and protects his head with a large metal umbrella holder. The shooting continues for a few minutes then moves away. The "German Visitor" leaves with haste and rejoins his unit which flews to Pont de Pany, where ther are incidents with the population. The Germans burn the prettiest house of the hamlet, which belonged to the Pelissonnier family, and also threaten to kill two members of the family, syaing that there were part of the Maquis.

In Sainte Marie we feliciate Doctor Nasicaa and his compangions for this "lightning liberation" but regret the death of one of the liberators killed above the village near to the Marigner farm.

Here is the statement of Mr Pelissionnier

In the evening, whilst all the inhabitants of Sainte Marie who were in the village think that it's finished, a German squadron pass by on the road. They are armed, on the defensive, scared of being attacked when crossing the village. My father, brother, Sister Marie de la Trinité from the presbertry, hide in the attic, afraid of being seen. Suddenly a gun shot bursts. "Its close to the church" said my brother. My father was worried "has a soldier fired on someone seen in a window?" When the squadron moves away we come out of hiding. Nothing strange going on.

The rest of the night was dedicated to a solidary acation between the inhabitants. They try to put out the fire started by the Gerlans at the the farms of Marigner and Fauconnet, making a human chain passing buckets of water. The bell of the presbertry rang, the door creeked as usual. My brother who was present, went outside to the courtyard and was face to face with Mr Chevalier, the leader of the communist cell in this sector. It was of course, an unusal person to ber here, but the relations between the priest and Mr Chevalier was of "good neighbours" Mr Chevalier saluts with two fingers on his hat. "Sir, we need your help, two of our commards Robert Nollez and Benigne Gollotte were killed yesterday by the "Boches", above the road to Gissey at the exit to the village. So their wives ask if you can give a sprinkle of 'holy water' and if you can put on your white jacket (votre surplis), it would be better. Perhaps you could help me bring the bodies back to the village on a wheel-barrow that I found". This is how two inhabitants of Pont de Pany "Morts pour la France", who died for France, received the utimate benediction before returning to the village, pushed by a priest and the local communist leader.

That night, my father ad brother return to Gergueil give news. The battle of Saint Marie, which the echos and come to the ears at Gergueil and sowed fear. After consulting a leader of the Resistance, who announced the immenant arrival of the Southern Army, the able refugess decide to go back to Sainte Marie the following morning. The older and tired people decide to stay until Monday.

Sunday 10th September : On our return to Saite Marie on Sunday, the Doctor Courtois, the village doctor ssaid to my brother "I worried about Joseph Confuron (an elderly person who lived in front of the church on the otherside of the road). Nobody has seen him since last night. You remember the isolated shot that we heard last night?" The doctor and my brother enter the house of Mr Confuron, and by the window which overlooked the street laid his body in a pool of blood. The impact of the bullet passing through the window was very visible. this drama was even more pianful as the son Confuron, who was a Resitance member had been deported to a German concentration camp. He has a memorial plate in the church of Sainte Marie, but alas he never returned.

Sunday afternoon, the funerals of the Resistance members killed during the wekk were held, the church was to small for the crowd. The regional Maquis gave the hounors. during the burial at the cemetry, we could see on the road to agey, which at that time had no houses, soldiers with karki uniformas and strange vehicles that we had never seen. Quickly we relaized that they were "Jeeps". On the front of the cars flew a small French flag. The soldiers belonged to the 1st DFL (Free French Division), the first unit of the combating France.

Before leaving Sainte Marie, the leaders of the Resistance, ordered the killing of the same amount of Germans prisoners as Maquis that were buried this day. They were the same Germans that had been given to the Maquis on the 6th of September and were executed at the War Memorial. For most of the population this act was "too much" and no in the honour of France.

Monday 11th September : During the night we could hear gun fire, but in the morning, to our great joy, welearnt that the Germans had left Dijon, without fighting. The city was free and the 1st French Army installed.

Tuesday 12th September : I went to Gerueil by bicycle, to finish some suspended jobs. On the way back, on the road which passes through the forest, gun fire. Some Germans, lost and in the woods.

Monday 18th September : Mr Bazerolle, father of the teacher of Pont de Pany and also a reserve officer, made contact with the medical colonel, commanding the ambulance "SPEARS" of the 1st Free French Division, to obtain medical help for the father of his daughter in law, wounded duing the battle of Sainte Marie on Sunday the 9th. Note taht this "country hospital" carries the name of the english general, who donated the medical equipment to France, who followed the Free French in Africa, Italy and the Provence with the landing on the 15th of August 1944. Stationed for a few days at dijon, the hospital wit Anglo-French staff, recruted young people capable of rapidly becoming nurses but had difficult in finding the necessary people.

Mr Bazerolle was so convined of the utility of this medical effort, that on Monday the 18h of September, my friend from Pont de Pany Jean Marie Devillers and myself joined the medical staff as nurses with the 1st DFL, ambulance SPEAR at Villersexel. The nextmorning we were rigging tents to accommodate te wounded of the battle to liberate the Lure region, the Germans having decided to try to stop the advancing Allied forces.

Maurice Garaudet (Member of the Resistance deported)

President of the A.N.A.C.R (speech made on 11 September 1984 beside the memorial plates at Sainte Marie)

Today, we wanted to make a halt here in Sainte Marie, in the valley Ouche, a historic place of the Resistance in the Cote d'Or, which during the critical hours of the liberation, was the scene of bloody battles which were difficult fo the Resistance and Maquis with the retreating Germans.

To explain waht happened in this area, let us return to the glorious das, however paingful of the 6, 7, 8 and 9th of September 1944, days which were painful because those that fell in this place never saw the joyful times of the liberation, for which they gave everything.

Le 6 septembre, de furieux combats se déroulent entre Sombernom et Sainte-Marie- sur-Ouche où au cours d'un engagement entre la "Compagnie Madagascar" et un bataillon de mitrailleurs allemands, le cheminot, Alphonse BOUCHARD, tombe, les armes à la main, sur la place se trouvant un peu plus loin.

More translation work being done.

You can read the original text in French here.