Bichelot, René François

Date of birth:: January 9th, 1922
Date of death:: May 27th, 2004 (Bandol/ Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France)
Service number:: 317692
Nationality:: French (1870-present, Republic)

Biography

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Military Cross (MC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Captain
Unit:: F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government
Awarded on:: August 30th, 1945

Recommendation:
"This officer started work in Resistance in 1942 and was of great assistance to a British circuit in Brittany. When the latter was broken up towards the end of 1943, Bichelot escaped to England and immediately volunteered for further service in France.
He was parachuted into France in May 1944as ssistant to an organiser in Southern France, and was placed in command of a group consisting of 300 men, whom he organised into sabotage teams for action against German communications on D-Day.
At the beginning of June, his chief was killed and the W/T operator arrested, and Bichelot was left with no means of contact with London. He carried on in command though short of stores, and the Sabotage teams personally led by Captain Bichelot were responsible for considerable damage to railways, notably the CARCASSONNE - MONTPELLIER and BEZIERS - St. FLOUR lines.
He alo organised and led with outstanding success attacks on electric pylons and many ambushes against German columns.
Showing the greates personal courage and organising ability, Captain Bichelot proved himself to be a leader of initiative and it is recommended that he be awarded the Military Cross."