The surrender of the Elster's column.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; here goes an article dealing with the actions carried out by the maquis in Provence....................

The surrender of the Elster's column. A maquis' victory. Sep 1944.

3 Jun 1944.

The School of "Jeunesse et Montagne" (Youth and Mountains) of Chamonix became a guerrilla movement at Auvergne under orders issued thru the BBC. The "J.M."’s groups were raised on September 1940 by the french Air Force after the defeat. They were during three years, under cover of physical, moral and civic’s training, one of the first resistance movements which formed a phalanx of combats cadres.

6 Jun 1944. "D" day.

Allied forces landed on Normandy. After two months of hard fights the German’s lines were breached then the US units together with the French troops released Paris on Aug 25 1944.

15 Aug 1944.

The Allied forces landed on Provence.

23 Aug 1944. The Opponent.

Being threatened with the encirclement, after three days the first elements on foot of the advance guard belonging to the Elster’s Column were leaving.
Under cover of one anti-terrorist operation, "colchique d'automne", the German started the general withdrawal of their forces located on the Southwest of France. They were split in three groups :

• Group von der Kamer - ahead.
• Group Wurtzer - centre.
• Group Elster - rearguard.

The Group of General Elster comprised roughly 20.000 men with 303 trucks, 1.171 horse-drawn vehicles and 700 bycicles ; besides the General, old chef of the Kommandantur of Mont-de-Marsan plus his Staff :

• 1er Regiment of the 159e D.I. of Arcachon,
• Security battalion 692,
• Antiaircraft School of the Kriegsmarine,
• Customs officers, feldgendarmerie and others

Source: "La capitulation de la colonne Elster" Victoire des Maquis de France. 10 septembre 1944. Robert G. DUPUY. Saint Egrève, le 15 juin 1992.
http://www.multimanpublishing.com/pp/anvil/anvil.html

More follows. CHeers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; here goes a little more....................

The surrender of the Elster's column. A maquis' victory. Sep 1944 (2º part).

From 25 Aug to 08 Sep 1944.

The fighters and pursuit planes of the USAF and the RAF carried out aerial attacks on the Elster’s column.

The 9.000 men belonging to the FFI and FTP of Indre (under Col. Mirguet) attacked the column at Ecueillé, St Hyppolite, Palluau, La Péchaudière, Nouans-les-Fontaines and Chaumussay.

All the roads between Blanc and Ardentes headingsouth ; Martizay and Vatan heading north were harassed by vigorous guerrillas’ actions.
The assaults hindered and troubles the German who carried out retaliations at St-Michel (fires, rapes and shootings) ; Ste-Gemme (36 houses burned out 54) and Méziéres-en-Brenne.

30 Aug 1944. Prelude. The Elster’s column past thru Angouléme.

31 Aug 1944. Harassments. The column was attacked and harassed all along the Higways N 10 and N 11 by the maquis deployed south of Poitiers.

This very day the Sous-Préfet of Issoudun (Indre), Pierre de Monneron asked some Germans Officers in order to treat the maquis who showed up the armlet of FFI as a regular soldiers. General Elster was informed about it.

01 and 01 Sep 1944.

At Blanc, the Column was attacked by the maquis of Roland (FTP) and Guillebon. The Allied planes bombed the German troops during the withdrawal.

03 Sep 1944.

The Elster’s column crossed thru Poitiers. This very day the Fast Column Nº 6 (Auvergne) under the Commandant Robert Thollon entered Lyon as the first troops of the FFI – FTP dispositive. There they were joined later by the 1 Army (French) of General de Lattre. Which went also towards Dijon.
The Allied troops that landed at Normandy reached Orleans heading fast towards Troyes.

Source: "La capitulation de la colonne Elster" Victoire des Maquis de France. 10 septembre 1944. Robert G. DUPUY. Saint Egrève, le 15 juin 1992.

More follows. CHeers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; Jan-Hendrik pointed me out that the 159 ID was a reserve unit, and now, here goes a little more....................

The surrender of the Elster's column. A maquis' victory. Sep 1944 (2º part).

04 Sep 1944.

One US Commando with radio liaison for Close air support was attached to the Colonel Chomel’s maquis, the Brigade Charles Martel of Indre. The unit was composed of : 27e RI and 32e RI re-organized with 2350 men (100 officers in active) + the maquis of north Indre and east-Indre under Cdt Vollet plus the maquis FTP under Cdt Lathière. All of them amounted to 6.000 men.

05 Sep 1944. Action.

The Charles Martel’s Brigade attacked heavily the Elster’s column at Villejésus, at the moulin de Brouchaud and at Subtray.

06 Sep 1944.

The SAS of Vannes attacked at Issodun.

The USAF’s figthers bombed and straffed with accuracy the retreating enemy along the road Chateauroux-Lignières.

The Captain Puech-Samson of the 4 Para battalion under Col Bourgoin met Pierre de Monneron and via radio requested aerial attacks on the enemy which was retreating along the road Chateauroux-Issoudun.

The column’s head was harassed at marlange and Lignières by the brigade Charles Martel.
The only road of withdrawal left to Elster ran along Chateauneuf-sur-Cher - Levet - Dun-sur-Auron - Blet - Sancoins - St Pierre-le-Moutier y Decize.

Col Bertrand, commanding of the FFI of Cher deployed along that axis 23 companies with 9 MG and 7 guns of 25 mm taken from the arsenal of Bourges.

They were troops belonging to the 1º RI amd the 33 half brigade of the FFI reinforced by the FFI of Cher-north, the maquis FTP and the maquis of Surcouf and supported by 7 jeeps with parachutits well armed and eager for entering the battle.

Source: "La capitulation de la colonne Elster" Victoire des Maquis de France. 10 septembre 1944. Robert G. DUPUY. Saint Egrève, le 15 juin 1992.

More follows. CHeers. Raúl M .

[Jan-Hendrik]

You got me a bit wrong, old friend

159.ID was not a Reserve Division, Elster's 159th was the 159.Reserve-Division Out of its remants a 159.ID was formed in October 1944



Jan-Hendrik

[tigre]

OK, thanks Jan-Hendrik; the things are clear for me now . This happens when a German and an Argentinian speaks in english . All the best. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; here goes a little more....................

The surrender of the Elster's column. A maquis' victory. Sep 1944 (3º part).


07 Sep 1944.

At Châteauroux, in the Château de la Pointerie, where Elster was lodged, the Count D’Ornano could convince him that the war was lost for Germany, however the German General told that he will give up only before regular soldiers but not before the red maquis.

The aerial attacks carried out by the USAF and the RAF killed 400 German soldiers, 300 horses, destroying also 70 vehicles around Châteauroux.

In order to protect his left flank and cut the German retreat, de Lattre was reinforced with the FFI mobile group of the South-West called Schneider’s column of 30.000 men in strenght.

Organization of the Colonne Schneider :

Around 3.500 men led by active officers among them, Colonels Pommiès, de Rougemont, Clerck, Le Maguy of the "Division Légère de Toulouse" comprising :

• Corps Franc de la Libération du colonel Trioche,
• 7 battalions of the Brigade Alsace-Lorraine.
• F.T.P. of Bentala.
• Bataillon du Tarn et Garonne.
• Brigade Main Noire.
• 3e Dragons de Castres du Colonel Dunoyer de Segonzac.
• Elements of the 3e Hussards.
• At last the F.F.I. of the "Division Légère d'Auvergne".

This Division Légère d'Auvergne under Colonel Fayard – was composed of groups of A.S. (Armée Secrète) and O.R.A. (Organisation de Résistance de l'Armée):
• Colonel le Porz - F.F.I. de l'Allier-Ouest. (2/3 AS + 1/3 FTP)
• Colonel Colliou - F.F.I. de l'Allier. (9/10 ORA + 1/10 AS) (comprising 7 scuadrons of guards of Capitaine Thiollet).
• "Colonel" Thollon - (brave pursuit pilot - "As de guerre" – active Captain in the Armée de l'Air (French Air Force), was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel F.F.I. on 18 september). Commanding the F.F.I. du Cantal. (3/4 ORA + 1/4 AS).

On September 07, in the morning, Thollon got across the Loire at Digoin and reached Bourbon-Lancy and Luzy. The Comandant Fontaine with his company of navy riflemen fell into an ambush at Luzy and lost 10 KIA.

Colliou reached the line Villeneuve sur Allier – Ganay sur Loire during the afternoon. Le Porz was between Cérilly and Lurcy-Lévis.

That night the Germans came from Levet and were attacked heavily by two battalions of Cher, well supported by the armed jeeps of the daredevil parachutits of Bourgoin.

Source: "La capitulation de la colonne Elster" Victoire des Maquis de France. 10 septembre 1944. Robert G. DUPUY. Saint Egrève, le 15 juin 1992.

More follows. CHeers. Raúl M .

[cedric mas]

Hello and thanks for these informations.

Here are some others informations (in french) on the surrender of Elster's column :

a complete Website :

http://redditionelster.free.fr/index.htm

and a Pdf dicument with some informations on the process of negociation :

http://www.jeunesse-et-montagne.org/download/Elster.rtf

Hope this will help,

CM

[tigre]

Hello to all people ; thanks for that complet information cedric. Now the story follows in this way....

08 Sep 1944.

Thollon pressed against Decize, Le Porz occupied Charenton and Sancoins. The Column of General Elster reached Châteauneuf sur Cher. At château du lieu, taken as lodging, Elster was convinced by his host the Duke de Maille that he must abandon that useless fight.

Roger Brac (Secrétaire Général de la Préfecture de l'Indre) met Count d’Ornano at Buzançais, who told him about the General Elster’s intention in order to open negotiations with "regulars authorities".
Roger Brac also noticed the Brigade Charles Martel asking them to appoint two officers belonging to the Intelligence branch – captains Léon Husser (active) and Robert Mirault (reserve) – in order to meet General Elster as part of a regular french force fighting under the US command. They were met that night in civilian clothes.

Elster issued the following proposal :

1. A "démonstration énergique" at in order to justify the surrender before his commanders and men.
2. To cease all the Maquis’ attacks.
3. To cease all the aerial attacks.
4. To choose a RV point for all the german troops.
5. The "honneurs militaires" that should pay the US force to the German force.
6. Top secret negotiations.

Elster could not change his march orders and fixed a new RV point for the morning of September the 9 at the château of Châteauneuf-sur-Cher.
The Staff of the Brigade Charles martel sent Colonel Robin to the CP of the 83 ID (US) located at Romorantin; he would be back next morning accompanied by an american delegation.

All night long the fight was going on along the two march’s axis followed by the German troops. The General Elster’s CoS was taken prisoner and the commanding officers of both columns were killed in action.

During the night the head of the Elster’s column past through the dispositive of Colonel Colliou but was halted by Commandant Erulin at height 198, 6 kilometers south of Decize.

Colonel Fayard issued his orders for the next day :

• Colonel Colliou was to move thru Nevers in order to destroy the bridge of Mornay sur l'Allier,
• Colonel Le Porz, was to maintain Charenton, Sancoins and Lurcy-Lévis,
• "Colonel" Thollon was to block the access to Nevers by Imphy and Bourbon-Lancy.

Source: "La capitulation de la colonne Elster" Victoire des Maquis de France. 10 septembre 1944. Robert G. DUPUY. Saint Egrève, le 15 juin 1992.

More follows. CHeers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all people ; the story follows in this way......................

09 Sep 1944.

According to the facts that had taken place during the night, Colonel Fayard changed his orders as follows :

• To Colonel Colliou : without changes.
• To Colonel Le Porz : to destroy the bridges of Sancoins and Charenton over the canal de Berry.
• To "Colonel" Thollon :
To deny the enemy crossing of the river loire "without spirit of retreat" ready to destroy the bridge of Décize in case of danger.

5000 germans got across the bridge of Mornay which was not destroyed.

In the morning, at 11:30 hours, the captains Husser and Mirault arrived at Châteauneuf-sur-Cher in order to inform General Elster on the american’s agreement. Elster summit his Staff and the group’s commanders.

Elster request the ending of the aerial attacks and it was agreed by the allied. They informed the german by means of messages dropped by the planes. One of this messages reached Colonel Bertrand who knew then about the negotiations.

Night of 09 to 10 Sep 1944. Decize’s bridge.

This action was important for both, the operations and the negotiations. The Germans reached the point 198 in column and were fired upon by the tirailleurs Nord-Africains under Commandant Lamoricière ("chouan" dropped by parachute on the Cantal during mission "Benjouin").

Around the 01 :00 hour the enemy attacked the Thollon’s troops on the bridge of Decize ; it was destroyed under Captain Goaille’s orders when the hostile vanguard approached. The fight lasted several hours. Others enemy elements tried to ford the river but were repulsed as well by the men of Thollon.

In the morning the Germans gave up and withdrew towards the château de Saint-Loup. Their casualties amounted to 20 KIA and several WIA.

Source: "La capitulation de la colonne Elster" Victoire des Maquis de France. 10 septembre 1944. Robert G. DUPUY. Saint Egrève, le 15 juin 1992.

More follows. CHeers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all people ; the story follows in this way......................

10 Sep 1944.

Thollon still denied the river Loire’s ford along of the sector of Decize.
Le Porz and Colliou were in contact with the German troops.

The Captains Husser and Mirault, the Lieutenant (translator) US Army Van de Valle and the Major Mac Stafford (english) wearing civil clothes met General Elster ; they inviting him to go towards Issoudun in order to sign the act of surrendering.

The German officer was in doubt about the maquis actions along the road (29 kilometers),the french officers put their uniforms then all together went to the Sous-Préfecture d'Issoudun at 14 :00 hours.

The General Elster and the General Maçon, Commanding Officer of the 83 ID (USA) signed the capitulation’s act, Colonel Baker the CoS of the 8º Army (USA) under General Simpson was also there.

Colonel Chomel, belonging to the Brigade Charles Martel’s Staff, who co-ordinated all the negotiations was in the spot, but he was not invited to sign the document.

The Capitulation’s act followed the Elster’s proposals, stating that :

« The allied Commanding Officer will allow the germans columns can proceed along the road to Orleans, Beaugency and Mer-sur-Loire with all their weapon and vehicles, without being harassed by the maquis forces. »

The document stated also that the german troops should hand over their weapons after crossing the river Loire « after marching pass in front of the US Army troops. »

Those articles meant the agreement with Colonels Bertrand and Fayard who at this point were not aware of that subject. Bertrand could be informed by telephone. The germans troops should pass firstly through his operation’s area. He claimed for a new act with Elster.

The Colonel Bertrand was angry and told Mirault and Husser that he would blast those germans. He set a new RV point for next day at the little town hall of d’Arcay.

As the night fell on 10 Sep 1944 the fights and ambushes went on south of St-Pierre-le-Moutier carried out by those troops that already did not know about the capitulation.

Yet, Colonel schneider, without knowing the agreement, sent one wounded german oficer together with Comandant de Sagazan and Major Mac Pherson (english) to meet general Elster. They joined Elster on Sep 11 at Arçay only to see the second phase of the capitulation as witnesses.

But this very 10 of Sep at Autun, after some vicious fights, others parts of the Schneider’s column together with the de lattre’s 1º Army could defeat some 4000 german troops belonging to Bauer’s column.
During those fights, more than 2000 new prisonres would be taken among them 358 officers and NCOs.

After being captured by German troops, 35 maquis were shot at Autun and another 75 men of Comandant Ferrand would lost their lives in the vicious fight.

Bernard de Lattre de Tassigny, the General’s son, 16 years old was seriously wounded there, but he would be killed later in Indochina.

Source: "La capitulation de la colonne Elster" Victoire des Maquis de France. 10 septembre 1944. Robert G. DUPUY. Saint Egrève, le 15 juin 1992.

More follows. CHeers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the General Simpson's 8º Army (while in England) was later designated as the 9º Army to avoid misunderstanding with the British 8º Army.

http://www.armyhistory.org/armyhistoric ... xCompID=32

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the last part of it...............................

11 Sep 1944.

On this day was signed a new act between Colonel Bertrand, Commanding Officer of the maquis of Cher, and General Elster it was foreseen a one day of delay to inform the maquis and the inhabitans. In that act the maquis were called "Forces de l'Armée Française" (French Army Forces).

Due to lack of liaison the forces of Division d’Auvergne knew about the capitulacion only on Sep 11 at 15 :00 hours.

On Sep 11 at nighfall the fights should cease over all the sector.

16 Sep 1944 – Balance.

• 20.000 prisoners, among them 470 Officers and two Generals,
• 43 field guns and antiaircraft guns,
• 24.000 light weapons (rifles, pistols),
• 557 machineguns,
• 375 trucks,
• 591 cars y 2.000 horses.


Source: "La capitulation de la colonne Elster" Victoire des Maquis de France. 10 septembre 1944. Robert G. DUPUY. Saint Egrève, le 15 juin 1992.


It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M .