Robert, Jacques Maurice "Rewez"
- Date of birth:
- April 2nd, 1914 (Paris, France)
- Date of death:
- February 8th, 1998 (Neuilly-sur-Seine/Hauts-de-Seine, France)
- Nationality:
- French
Biography
ALIAS : Jacques Rewez - Denis - Jacques Cochet - Davis - Molécule.
Jacques Robert who had studied law, had been a tank commander in the French Army during the Battle of France for which he was awarded the Legion d'Honneur and the Croix de Guerre (5 citations).
After the surrender of France he was a member of the Confrerie de Notre Dame, a Parisien intelligence network. Following that he set up his own group named Phatrie
See for the citation for his OBE for more biographical information about Robert.
After the war he became a successful business man.
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Commandeur de l' Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 8e Bataillon de Chars, Lunéville
- Awarded on:
- June 1940
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Compagnon
- Awarded on:
- April 6th, 1945
Croix de Guerre "Vichy"
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant
- Unit:
- 8e Bataillon de Chars, Lunéville
- Awarded on:
- June 1940
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Awarded on:
- April 6th, 1944
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Commandant (Commander)
- Unit:
- RF Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government
- Awarded on:
- 1944
"One of the veterans of the Free French reseaux, this officer was the founder of perhaps the most productive of the Free French organisations in military intelligence.
He was originally recruited in early 1941 by a Free French organisation. In May 1942 he returned to the United Kingdom for training, and was later sent back into France where he founded his own organisation.
He was arrested with compromising papers on his person in May 1943 and fought his way out. His position as a result of this episode restrcted his activities to such an extent that he was brought back to the United Kingdom at the end of June.
He left an organisation which was able, thanks largely to his well chosen lieutenants, to continue, and which continues today to expand and provide increasing quantities of extremely valuable naval, military and air intelligence.
It was largely due to his fighting spirit and energetic action that his reseau has survived for so ling in spite of many set-backs. During the whole of his activities in France he has shown remarkable organising ability, exemplary courage and unfailing loyalty to the Cause."
Originally recommendd for a Military Cross but upgraded to an OBE.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Commandant (Major)
"This officer was awarded the O.B.E. for outstanding work in this country and in France in the early days of French Resistance.
From July, 1943, to February, 1944, he was Head of the Department of B.C.R.A. in London dealing with clandestine resistance in France, and in February, 1944, he assumed command of all training of French teams destined to be dropped by parachute into Occupied France ahead of and in co-operation with the invading armies.
In both these appointments Commandant Robert by his unasuming competence, his co-operation and his complete grasp of policy and requirements, again achived outstanding success.
He was again dropped by parachute into France on 27th June, 1944, as Head of an Inter-Allied mission.
When Commandant Robert arrived in the Creuse he found that the existing Resistance organisation was far from perfect and he immediately applied his military knowledge and the great experience he had formerly gained in the field.
On 15th July, the Germans took active counter-measures against the Creuse and attacked in force. The mission, together with the majority of the Maquis, took to the woods in isolated groups. On the night of the 15th July, Commadant Robert, together with one member of the F.F.I., went out on reconnaissance and regained contact with the other groups. This entailed walking through the village of Planchat, in uniform, although it was completely occupied by the enemy.
During the first week in August, Commandant Robert regrouped his H.Q. and such had been the impression made in local Resistance Groups by the mission that he was asked to take over the entire control of the Deperatment. He then actively prepared the Department for guerilla warfare and when, in the middle of August, it became apparant that the Germans were about to pass through the Creuse in their retreat, Commandant Robert took all necessary steps to bar their passage either by road or rail. His tactics and organisation were so successful that not a single German column passing through the Creuse escaped unscathed, and the delay caused the enemy by thousands of felled trees, numerous blown bridges, booby traps and guerilla ambushed cannot be over-estimated.
Commandant Robert led the companies of the Maquis battalion which he had organised in person on many daring ambushes and actions until the Department was finally cleared. At least 2,000 casualties were inflicted on the enemy.
It is recommended that this courageous officer, who on all occasions showed himself the be a gallant and resourceful leader, be appointed a Companion in the Distinguished Service Order.
Recommended by Colin Gubbins
Major-General
27.4.45
Medal of Freedom
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
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