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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 (1870-present, Republic)

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.
Several websites mention he was awarded also a DSO but so far only an OBE was confirmed by the National Archives (Kew)

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant
Unit:
8e Bataillon de Chars, Lunéville
Awarded on:
June 1940
For having neutralized 30 German armored vehicles during the French Campaign in May 1940
Chevalier de l' Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Compagnon
Awarded on:
April 6th, 1945
l' Ordre de la Libération
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant
Unit:
8e Bataillon de Chars, Lunéville
Awarded on:
June 1940
4 citations
Croix de Guerre
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
5 citations
Croix de Guerre (1939-1945)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
April 6th, 1944
Médaille de la Résistance Française
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Commandant (Commander)
Unit:
RF Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government
Awarded on:
1944
Citation:
"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.
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Sources

Photo