During the occupation, 350 people joined free France from Morlaix Bay: a tribute will be paid to them on July 5

1 In front of the Ernest Sibiril stele – During occupation, 350 people joined

In this year marking the 80th anniversary of Nazi capitulation, the city of Carantec and its maritime museum, the French Institute of the Sea and the Foundation of Free France organize a tribute ceremony to those who, between 1940 and 1944, joined England from the Baie de Morlaix. For example, A plaque will be unveiled this Saturday, July 5, at 3:15 p.m. Meanwhile, (rally from 2:45 p.m.), in front of the stele dedicated to Ernest Sibiril, rue Duguay-Trouin, in Carantec. Similarly, An English delegation will be present, including in particular descendants of an escape established in England.

The census work carried out in various works. For example, within the French archives as English, by Jean-Pierre Daffniet (maritime museum), Germain Lemoine (Foundation of Free France), Michel Morvan (IFM) and a team of volunteers, made it possible during occupation, 350 people joined to establish that there had been around forty crossings during the occupation. Similarly, Which makes Morlaix bay one of the high places in free France.

2 thirty boats

Thirty boats of all types conveyed these escapees from Batz. Moreover, Roscoff, Saint-Pol-de-Léon, Henvic, Locquénolé, Plouezoc’h, Plougasnou or Carantec, of course, via the Sibiril network. Two made three trips: the why not by Jacques Guéguen (Henvic) and the Primel of Jean Tanguy (Plougasnou). The first to have put the sails: the intrepid, on June 23, 1940. The last: Amity, on February 15, 1944. 34 during occupation, 350 people joined of these crossings succeeded, allowing 297 people to pass across the Channel. A number to which should be added 50 unidentified people

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The Tor E Benn sailboat crossed the Channel during the Occupation. (Carantec Maritime Museum)

3 Who were they? What routes?

Of the 297 escapees having crossed the Channel, 283 continued the fight by engaging in the free French forces. The others have chosen another path. Three members of the Lazard family and another escaper remained living in Great Britain. Four asked for repatriation in during occupation, 350 people joined mainland France. One was a German spy …

80 % of these 283 fighters. including five women, were Bretons (200 Finistère), 18 from the Paris region, eleven from the Havraise region and 15 of foreign origin, including seven aviators: United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Slovenia and Egypt. The average age was around 20 years (10 % were under 17) during the first wave of departures. Then this average tended to increase.

The majority of them engaged in the navy. 40 in the 2nd armored division of General Leclerc, 25 in the 1st French free division … Nine have become paratroopers within the Special Air Service (SAS) and two integrated the British secret services. 46 of these fighters died for France and four were named companions of the Liberation.