Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commandant (Major)

Unit:

Forces Françaises de l'Intérieur

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commandant (Major)

Unit:

Forces Françaises de l'Intérieur

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commandant (Major)

Unit:

Forces Françaises de l'Intérieur

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commandant (Major)

Unit:

Forces Françaises de l'Intérieur

Citation:
"This French officer started work with a British organsier in the Lille area in May 1943 and helped to establish an important circuit. In November of the same year his chief was killed and all contact with London was lost, but Commandant SEAILLES decided to carry on in spite of an intense Gestapo drive to penetrate and destroy the circuit.

Though seriously handicapped by lack of arms and equipment, he built up a powerful movement and organised widespread sabotage of German communications and industrial installations in the department of Nord and Pas de Calais. In the spring of 1944, he received supplies of arms and explosives from a British organiser working in the Paris area. With these and other supplies captured from enemy depots he was able to arm a force of eight hundred men, which increased after D-Day to several thousand.

Although the thickly-populated north east of France does not lend itself to large-scale guerilla warfare, Commandant SEAILLES' forces harassed the Germans in every possible way, and by concerted attacks on communications seriously disrupted enemy troop movements to the battlefront in Normandy. When the enemy withdrawal towards Belgium began, these harassing tactics were intensified and the troops under SEAILLES' personal command too 1500 prisoners, destroyed or captured seven hundred enemy vehicles and captured a large quantity of arms and equipment.

SEAILLES' loyalty to and admiration for Great Britain are reflected in the "Organisation Franco-Anglaise" by which his group was known, and he did everything in his power to further the cause of Anglo-French friendship.

For his outstanding contribution towards the Allied victory in the Battle of France, for his gallantry in action against the enemy, and for the services he rendered not only to his own country but also to Great Britain, it is recommended that Commandant SEAILLES be appointed a Companion in the Distinguished Service Order."

Recommended by Colin Gubbins
Major-General
22.5.45