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Coste, René Louis

Nationality:
French

Biography

Jedburg Team member
Coste used the nom de guerre of Montlac
Allied forces liberated Montlac (Coste) in the Lunvillie hospital. Despite his serious wound, he remained in the French Army, eventally retiring as a colonel.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Recommendation:
"This French officer was parachuted behind the enemy lines in the area of Charmes in the Vosges.

From the middle of August up to the 2nd of Sept. 1944, when he was seriously wounded, Capitaine Coste assisted in organising deliveries by parachute. He also did valuable work in arming and training resistance personnel.

On 2nd September he personally organised and led an ambusj against a large depot at TANTONVILLE which the enemy were about to destroy by fire. Coste was prominent in the many sorties made during this action and in an attack on an enemy convoy his forces killed eighty of the enemy and took nineteen prisoners including the german officer commanding the depot.
In this action Capitaine Coste was wounded while leading his men but continued to advise and encourage them though he himself was unable to continue fighting.
Through the whole period this officer's work was of a high standard and his personal bravery exemplary.

I recommend therefore that he be awarded the Military Cross".

Signed
Colin Gubbins
Major-General
4.4.45
Military Cross (MC)

Sources

Photo