« Saga of the Ken Sorgenfrei Crew »
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We will trace the incredible epic that occurred in July 1944 for 11 American airmen whose plane was hit by the German DCA during a bombing on Munich. They will crash two hours later on their way back into the Briançon Valley, near Savines. They will be saved by the French maquis after events worthy of a film script.
Virtually all of our information comes from Pierre Montaz’s magnificent book «11 Americans fallen from the sky»
Automatic translation (by Reverso)
Traduction automatique (par Réverso)
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Ken Sorgenfrei, the captain, is standing completely to the left. (Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
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On July 19, 1944, their bomber Liberator B24 was severely hit.
Two of these 4 engines were ripped open, put out of use. Gasoline is sprayed throughout the fuselage and the flight engineer no longer knows where to give his head to stop the multiple leaks.
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The crew turned around and attempted to return to their Spinazzola air base in Italy. But the plane loses altitude, the pilot seeing that a third engine is starting to weaken, tells his 10 teammates that it is necessary to turn at all costs towards Switzerland (neutral country) because they will never arrive in Italy.
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This map shows that the plane flew over Switzerland for a few minutes. (Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
Above the French Alps, the snowy mountains and green meadows make them think that they are already in Switzerland and anyway their plane no longer has enough power and falls. The eleven young Americans jump very quickly behind each other. For the last time it was time, the plane crashed 300 m further in a terrible crash, between the Grand Morgon and the Pic de Chabrières, in the valley of Savine-Briançon, in Prunières. It’s three o’clock. It was their 44th mission over Germany, the last before they returned to the US as a family.
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In the Savine Valley
The whole valley hears the huge deflagration. No doubt the German garrison of Gap heard it and anyway will be warned by a snitch. So the Germans will be here any minute. Immediately the guerrillas set out towards the mountain in search of the American crew.
They find them and help them get out as quickly as possible. The parachutes are buried. Maybe they have another hour before the Germans arrive. A pickup truck leads them to the hamlet of Les Rousses, where the welcome is very warm. They are served drinks and food. The Americans are very surprised by this welcome but also by the behaviour of the guerrillas, their incredible grounding, the apparent absence of hierarchy, they who are accustomed on their air base to following a very strict military regulation.
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Quickly, the Resistants decided to transport them even higher, at more than 2400 m, in the forests of «Pierre Rouge» on the Réallon sector. To make themselves they commandeer donkeys and mules. It is the Réallon camp that takes charge of them under the orders of Lieutenants André Mermet and Jacques Vollaire (a former Champoleon). We put them under military marabouts and our young Americans are beginning to discover a new life, a life of resistance.
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Our American friends with Reallon’s maquis.(Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
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Five days later, transfer from Réallon to « Pont-du-Fossé »
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On July 24 (5 days later) the guerrillas decide in agreement with the Americans that they must join Switzerland, the only good solution. In gratitude and in the emotion of the goodbyes, our airmen give their watch, their aviator’s jacket, give in reality everything they have! A few days later, passing the snow-covered passes, sleeping at high altitude, these aviator jackets will be sorely missed.
After the goodbyes, they go down into the valley to find a van that comes to pick them up. On the way they stop 2 minutes in front of the debris of their plane charred with great emotion. In reality, the more they descend, the more perilous the journey becomes. In Chorges, on the national road, they cross a long German convoy that is definitely looking for them. For 5 minutes all are petrified! Then towards the batie Neuve, the Borels, and finally a forest path to pass the Moissière pass (the road is not tarred) which allows to reach Ancelle in the Champsaur valley.
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Village of Ancelle
The boundary of Reallon’s Resistance sector ends there. They are greeted by the Brochier family (Resistant ) for a quick lunch, then they are deposited at the faix (commune of Ancelle). The driver shows them roughly the direction they must take to reach Switzerland. In reality it is very embarrassed to see them leave without help!
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The bad news comes to their families
The Spinazzola base in Italy, having not seen them coming back and especially having no news for 6 days (when they could have called for example from Switzerland), warns their family that there is every reason to fear the worst.
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The trip in Champsaur
Our airmen join Pont du Fossé and are about to enter the Champoléon valley, but several people tell them that it is a dead end and that it is better to go to Saint Bonnet always on the right bank of the Drac. The left bank is dangerous, a German convoy could pass on the Napoleon road. In the evening, tired and hungry, they sleep in an abandoned barn.
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Drac river at Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur (photo april 2019)
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In the early morning, they head towards Saint Bonnet, always between the Drac and the mountain. They don’t know it but for a few kilometers they are followed by Emile Bertrand, Resistant, who wonders who these 11 young people are: Germans, English, Americans? At one point, he discovered the American emblem and was relieved.
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Street of « November 11 » à Saint-Bonnet-en-Champsaur
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Once in Saint Bonnet (they arrived by the street of November 11 and the market square at the top of the village), they head towards Bénévent and enter a small chapel to take some rest. Just then, Mme Davin (wife of the mayor of Bénévent) entered the chapel and found herself facing them. Emile Bertrand arrived a few seconds later and reassured them by telling them in a loop “friend, friend…” and showed them the « FFI » armband.
Here they are a little more reassured! We bring them bread and coffee and then sugar and a small assembly is formed. The welcome is warm. Emile Bertrand, leaving this friendly gathering, quickly went down to Saint Bonnet to inform his Resistance friends of the presence of these 11 Americans. All are unanimous in bringing them down to Saint Bonnet. Marius Rebou the village cheesemaker recovers them with his truck to avoid them the few kilometers between the 2 villages.They are greeted at the Hotel Orcier Place du Peyssier.
Hôtel Orcier
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Very quickly a warm welcome is organized and I quote Jules Carrel (former head of the centre «Jeunesse et Montagne» of Chaillol: “a reception was spontaneously improvised in the middle of the day with the enthusiastic support of the inhabitants who brought drinks and victuals with a total disregard for the most elementary prudence…. personally, almost 40 years after this event, I still wonder by what miracle the Germans were able to ignore the presence here of these 11 American airmen.”
Two or three lookouts, however, watch from the cornice of Saint Bonnet for possible German vehicles that could cross the Drac on the low. Always at the Hotel Orcier, in the evening, a great meal is organized, with music, dance, alcohol and victuals at will, in defiance of all prudence. Our Americans are once again very surprised by this welcome they will remember all their lives. Then they sleep on the spot in good beds and white sheets. They will need it because the following days will be exhausting. Guerrillas during the night, prepare their evacuation: they cannot remain there, in the village. They decide to accompany them the next day to the « Chapel-en-Valgaudemar », then pass the Gioberney pass (3233m) and reach the Oisans guerrillas on the other side. The guides of the former «Youth and mountain» will guide them. (The association «Youth and mountain» was banned by the Germans in 1943 because it is full of Resistants).
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Valgaudemar Valley on July 26, 1944
It’s been eight days since their plane crashed.
In the early morning, a pickup truck picked them up in Saint Bonnet to accompany them to La Chapelle in Valgaudemar, taking of course secondary roads to avoid the Napoleon road. Nevertheless, they go 4km on this road very frequented by the Germans, from Chauffayer to Saint Firmin, taking great risks. They are clearly relieved when they enter the Valgaudemar valley because the Enemy has never ventured there.
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The end of the day is at La Chapelle where they are expected to sleep at the hostel montena.
The crossing of the Gioberney pass (3233m) is scheduled for the next morning. Stay 2h in the morning …. 20h walk is on the agenda!! Our aviators have little moccasins on their feet, they gave their air-riders’ vests a few days earlier, and they have no equipment. The 2 guides of «Jeunesse et montagne», Artru and Massot, will have a big job to accompany these 11 inexperienced, untrained and under-equipped fellows. In 8 days they had already experienced some amazing adventures. In reality the great adventure begins just because they will experience incredible events that a few decades later will make ONE of the American newspapers, when the book of Pierre Montaz released in 1994.
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(Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
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The passage of the Gioberney on July 27, 1944
The whole team (with the 2 guides, 13 men in total) rose at 2am and began the slow ascent, a little slowed down by the ankle sprain of one of the airmen who had misreceived during the parachuting in Savines. After 4 hours of walking, the sunrise is magnificent highlighting these Himalayan mountains. Then they continue their ascension to the Gioberney pass.
When an American asked, « How far away is it? » the guides invariably answered, « Good 2 more hours. » At the testimony of an aviator interrogated 50 years later, this ascension seemed to him endless and very trying. Difficult glaciers, scree, unsuitable shoes, cold…. Nothing will be spared them. They stop for lunch at the pass and then go down the other side towards the refuge of La Pilatte, 1000 meters below. In total 20 hours of walking and a well deserved rest. They are in the Oisans, the area is completely held by the Resistance.
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(Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
The next day, at 6 o’clock in the morning, a Resistant of the Oisans, passing through there, tambourine at the door of the refuge and is very surprised by the presence of this heterogeneous group of 13 men. After taking all the information, and sharing some food with them, he goes down to the village of La Bérarde to warn his guerrillas friends.
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The descent to the « Berard » for the 13 men (July 28, 1944)
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They have been on French soil for 10 days.
The day is beautiful and it is an opportunity. The descent to the village of Bérarde is a real pleasure after what they experienced the day before. At the approach of the village the children and young people come to welcome them as heroes with bouquets of flowers picked on the sides of the road. In the village all the inhabitants are there to receive them because they live it as the first fruits of the Liberation. Joy can be read on all faces and our Americans are quite surprised: the welcome is royal, the one due to liberators. The guerrillas decide with their hierarchy that these men must descend in the afternoon to « Bourg-d’Oisans » to meet the leaders of the area.
In » Bourg-D’Oisans » (on July 28th afternoon )
In the afternoon, in « Bourg« , the welcome given to the crew was again very warm. They tell their epic in a loop from their crash in Savines to this day. A young interpreter is happy to translate everything. Everyone gets their pictures taken with them, appetizers follow each other.
The two guides (Massot on the left and Artru on the right) are surrounded by a circle. (Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book). One would guess that our young Americans like to joke, because they surround the girl in a very… friendly way.
Later in the afternoon they are taken down to « Pont de Claix » where the most advanced German post is located: our fellows observe with the binoculars the enemy. They listen very carefully to all the explanations. Yes, the Vercors, the Glières, the Oisans are still « free lands » where the Germans dare not venture. Unfortunately in a few days it will be a catastrophe for these 3 regions and the Germans (yet already in the debarkation of the Normandy landing) will be odiously (and unnecessarily) repressive and violent. Our airmen will experience this storm with the French.
But for this day, our Resistance are very proud of their freedom and the Americans are listening very carefully.
As it should be, in the evening an incredible party is improvised at livet and alcohol flows. It will be the last party before the Liberation…. that our Americans will live in Grenoble on August 21, 1944. Terrible trials await the group as much Americans as guerrillas.
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From « Livet » to « L’Alpe d’Huez » (July 29, 1944)
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In reality the Oisans is totally surrounded by Germans and the feeling of freedom is false. The guerrillas know this and are worried because at any time they can be attacked by the Germans, crushed as will be the case in the Vercors and Glières. They also know that the 11 Americans cannot join the Resistance because it would be too risky for them. In case of arrest (or even a simple road control) it would be certain death sentence.
For these two reasons, it is decided that they will go up to the « Alpe d’Huez » (new ski resort at the time) where there is a hospital reserved for the injured Resistants (in the Grand Hotel and its annex). That way, they will be able to do a service but will not participate in the fighting.
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Photo taken at « Alpe d’Huez ». Left Ken the commander of the B24 and right Perrin maquisard de l’Oisans. (Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
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The chief physician of this « bush hospital » is Captain Tisserand (normally surgeon in Grenoble) a man who by his cold-blooded and clear ideas will save the whole group several times. His wife is an anesthesiologist (8 months pregnant in July 1944). Physicians and nurses are sufficient to ensure proper care. This hospital has an operating room, sterilization equipment, a microscope….. and (!) « from instruments purchased by Tisserand to an Italian army surgeon who preferred to go home in September 1943 with money in his pockets rather than with his army tools on his arms ». The operating table is illuminated by a car headlight.
It was at the arrival of the 11 Americans at Alpe D’Huez that Pierre Montaz (the author of this book in 1994) met them for the first time. From that day on, he will accompany them in their galley until the Liberation of Vizilla (August 23, 1944).
They learn on July 29 with dismay that the Vercors was crushed on July 27 and that the 35 guerrillas cared for in the cave-hospital of the lure were massacred (they even killed the few German soldiers wounded and cared for by the guerrillas). At the hospital of Alpe d’Huez the doctors (and especially Tisserand) are very concerned. They now realize that the Germans do not even respect the international rules of war or the rules of simple humanity.
Dr. Tisserand (Tissot ) hospital surgeon. (Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
The hospital of the Alpe d’Huez receives its share of wounded daily because the French constantly attack German positions to undermine their morale. For example, a train full of ammunition is attacked, several guerrillas arrive in emergency at the hospital. The young Seyer is amputated from his leg G , the young Allume has his eye torn off (a ball entered through the right cheek and it exited through the left temple) It’s a chance that the left eye was not touched. Dr Tisserand provides all the care.
The days that follow will be terrible. We will summarize these tricks very broadly so as not to add too much weight to the article. The book is 253 pages long!
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The Goose is surrounded and the Alpe d’Huez is under imminent attack.
August 11, 1944 (22 days after the crash)
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Dr Tisserand, anticipating the continuation of the events and the attack on the Germans, wants to evacuate the hospital as soon as possible. He does not want to suffer the same fate as the lure cave in the Vercors. He receives the green light from Commander Beyle for the evacuation. On the night of August 10 everything is prepared: materials, supplies, medicines. On 11 August 1944 at 9 o’clock the caravan shook, helped by 8 mules requisitioned the day before. Tisserand decided to evacuate the wounded first (thanks to charrettes). This first convoy will reach the Alpette at 2000m in a pasture area. Our 11 Americans are part of this first convoy and will be of great help in this terrible exodus. At the station, their destination was kept secret for security reasons.
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The exodus. (Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
In the background one can guess the last pylon of the top of the tracks. Tisserand asked that there be no Red Cross on the convoy, even in armband. If the Germans were to spot the group and Red Cross by plane, they would be even more ruthless. He foresees everything and is in front of this long procession with a strap-on machine gun. Two guerrillas close the group also armed. Dr Tisserand plans to make two more evacuation convoys from the Alpe d’Huez the next day concerning the minor wounded.
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Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book
The Americans push the casualties’ charrettes into difficult places (an umbrella was placed on their head to shelter them from the sun). The young woman (Irene) in the foreground is Gaëtan’s fiancée one of the wounded. Realizing that he had been seriously injured and amputated by a leg, she went (from Gap) to Alpe D’Huez in an emergency. She will not leave him for a second until the Liberation at the risk of her life several times. She climbs with little city shoes. Dr. Tisserand will give her a walking rod to help her.
In the Alpette, there are two mountain pastures: the first small one will be used to store the provisions, the second largest will house the wounded on the ground.
Two more groups of wounded leave the Alpe d’Huez a few hours later
As we have just seen, the first group of serious wounded left with Dr Tisserand at the Alpette.
A second group of lighter wounded left under the direction of Dr Bernard towards Villard Réculas (2h walk). But the mayor for fear of retaliation refuses to receive this group of 18 people. Finally he accepts that they settle in the forest not very far from the village.
A third group of about 15 left for « Auris » in the Maronne forest.
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The Germans attack Oisans
The hospital of the Alpes d’Huez was completely evacuated on August 12, 1944. In the night guerrillas blow 3 bridges to prevent Germans from passing. But on August 12 and 13 enemy bombings followed each other on Vaujany, Allemond, Bourg d’Oisans, Alpe d’Huez (fortunately in the station the bombs missed their target) and the planes flew over the Alpette several times. The group thinks they’ve been spotted.
The Germans will take 5 days to advance by 20 km…they are harassed from all sides and suffer many losses. They entered the Alpe d’Huez on August 14, 1944. All the inhabitants will be questioned one after the other and Pierre Montaz (the author of the book) who had been going back and forth between the station and the Alpette for 3 days was right there when they entered the village. He is questioned like the others. He will write in his book « I had the greatest fear of my life ». But before the German officer he can justify his desertion of the STO by a medical certificate, of his presence at Alpe D’Huez by a work in the station and also justify an address on site. Everything is going well despite the officer’s suspicious air.
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Traduction automatique (par Réverso)
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Dr Tisserand decides to go even higher to save his group
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Tisserand is almost certain to have been spotted by the previous day’s planes. Considering the capture of the Alpe d’Huez and the very offensive attitude of the Germans, he decided to leave the Alpine to go even higher. He wants to be very cautious but the realization of this 2nd transfer is a feat because they have to cross huge screwups. The Maquis of the valley is warned of this exodus from the hospital and goes to the rescue of the group: they will arrive just in time to defend them.
The hospital’s departure at 10 o’clock and our 11 Americans are very dedicated to helping the wounded. The book describes at length this ordeal « The scree seems insurmountable. The young Allume, almost blind, accompanied, passes from one rock to another with four legs; another injured with a cut Achilles tendons, has attached a string to the end of his shoe and artificially raises his foot at each step. Casualties of the upper limbs cannot hold on to the walls without the help of the friends who push and pull them. Madame Tisserand ready to give birth carries her precious but cumbersome treasure… ».
Very quickly, the climb to the refuge of the Fare des 2 amputés seems impossible. They are hidden near the Alpette by the rapid construction of a wall around them. Seyer stays the first with Paul his nurse. Gaëtan stays with his fiancée Irène. The two wounded believe that they will be caught by the Germans and beg their guardian (Paul and Irene) to abandon them. But both will remain with the wounded at the risk of their lives. And Pierre Montaz to add » All four will live frightening hours that only exceptional beings could bear »
While the group has been walking for 2 hours (ascension is very difficult and slow), they are caught up by Bernard Faure who breathes out, announces to them that a large group of Germans are going up towards the Alpette. Tisserand was right! He has just saved for the second time the lives of the 18 people in his group. At the detour of a path Madame Tisserand who looks down is written « That’s it, the Germans arrive at the Alpine! ». Everyone lies behind the rocks and observes the movement. Silence is absolute.
Meanwhile 75 guerrillas arrived (before the Germans) a few hundred meters from the Alpetta to defend the hospital fleeing, save the wounded. All these men are hidden between the rocks, totally invisible. So incredible status quo: the Germans rest and have a picnic at the Alpette for a while, the 75 guerrillas armed to the teeth are a few steps to prevent the passage but do not move, the 2 amputees are 200m higher and at 2 hours of walking above, 16 people observe in silence and anguish the outcome of this tragedy before their eyes on which depends their future.
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The ascension must take them to the Fare refuge at an altitude of 2300m. (Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
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A frightening confrontation is happening
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While the Germans after a time of rest at the Alpine resume the pursuit of the fugitives, as soon as they engage on the path a shot of gun is fired by a guerrilla and a German collapses. The fight (almost hand-to-hand) begins. The response is very violent: Germans shoot everywhere with automatic weapons. The 75 guerrillas, led by Lieutenant Menton, scattered between the rocks, invisible, retaliate very little at first because they save their ammunition and the Germans fire thousands of bullets in all directions. The Germans are also shooting at the 16 refugees from the hospital (bullets lost because too far) that they have spotted on the heights.
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Finally the French begin to use their 4 Hotchkiss at high throughput, their machine guns, grenade lances….. The Germans discover that there are French everywhere (the plane of the day before had seen only a few wounded at the Alpette. There they fall on 75 guerrillas, that’s something else!). They are very surprised not only by the number but also by the equipment used. They are starting to fall back. This fierce fight will last 6 hours and the Germans are forced to withdraw leaving 17 dead on the ground while on the side of the Resistance not one is wounded.
Lieutenant Menton adds in his writings « What a memory !!!! Tonight our victory so beautiful and complete seems to me to be the result of supernatural protection rather than the product of our numbers, our weapons or our tactical value ».
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Lieutenant Menton appears to have been (despite what he says in the previous word) an outstanding tactician after winning incredible victories over the Germans in the Oisans several times.
The 2 amputees and their guards (Paul and Irene) witnessed totally powerless fights for 6 hours, less than 50m from the Germans. Irene will say (still as quiet) that she heard the Germans talking a few meters away from her. The bullets were hissing in their ears, hitting the stones around them. No one was hurt! Indeed it is very surprising! As for the 16 people in the hospital, they followed this dantesque fight for 6 hours at a distance, 300m higher. They knew that the outcome of this confrontation would dictate their own future.
Just after the Germans left, a particularly strong Moroccan youth managed to climb Gaëtan on his shoulders to the Fare refuge and Irene his fiancée could finally join the group. She was an unwavering and incredible support to Gaëtan in the midst of the fighting. Seyer, the other amputee, remained at the battle site near the Alpine. He was untransportable. Paul’s nurse stayed with him. Paul saw death so closely during these six hours of combat that he made, in this period, a kind of great spiritual journey and profound conversion. He is upset. After the war he will become a pastor.
There is practically no more food. It is no longer rationing but snacking (2 cookies and 3 sugars per day). No one complains, everyone remains positive and beating. They are alive, that is the essential.
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One short night
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Everyone is gathered at the refuge of La Fare (except Seyer), no one has been hurt, no loss! But Tisserand does not lose foot: he is anxious because the Germans know where they are. He announces despite the fatigue that is at its peak and that the hunger pushes them to leave even higher the next morning. Four hours to go!
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A 3rd exodus (26th day for our Americans) on August 15th.
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They don’t know it but the « landing of Provence » just took place this August 15. For the time being, our 11 Americans are stunned to discover what the French are going through and also their ardour in combat.
At 4 o’clock in the morning as planned, the 3rd exodus begins, towards the hut of Father Rajon at 2642m altitude. Gaëtan and Irène his fiancée will stay (they are obliged) at the refuge of La Fare taking great risks. The path of exodus begins again: no one rushes despite hunger and extreme fatigue because it is about survival. Morale is good. The crossing of the scree begins again and our Americans are devious. They are encouraged by … Mrs. Tisserand (8 months pregnant) and her smiles.
They help the most disabled. Around 2600m before dawn, they realize that the mountain hides them from the enemy and their binoculars. When around noon they arrive at Father Rajon’s cabin, they have a big surprise. It is occupied by guerrillas who come out of a tough fight with the Germans at the Lautaret pass the day before. They retreated to this place, without cover, without food, exhausted. But more importantly, they report that the Germans can arrive at this place at any time. This time, the members of the hospital are morally very tested.
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« Father Rajon’s » cabin and the stone tree in the background. (Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
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Tisserand decided that the group should hide in the stone tree above the hut, scattered in groups of 4 people, as high as possible. Each group has to build a small stone shelter to hide and shelter from the wind. At night so close to the glaciers will be terrible.
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In the evening they perceive a very powerful rumble: the Americans are the first to understand. This is a huge B24 squadron flying at high altitude, in perfect order, from the south. « They all burst with joy, shout, cheer, wave their arms … ». Finally, a glimmer of hope!
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Three days waiting at Father Rajon’s cabin (hut ?) (15, 16, 17 August)
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The first night is terrible because the cold is there, the snow, the hunger, the fatigue, the anguish, the stony ground… But August 16th will be rich in changes.
.A big surprise: in the early morning, the young « Allume » (practically blind) and another guerrilla seriously wounded in the knee, terrified by the speech of the guerrillas crossed the day before at the hut, decide to leave the group and go down the valley by a hypothetical path. Tisserand gives them little chance of getting by on their own. For six days it will indeed be an endless struggle in the mountain, it seems with hallucinations (linked to hunger), lost, wandering to find the way but eventually they will get out …. marked for life.
Tisserand asks two Americans to try to find a « wandering » sheep down the valley. They find one that they go up. He will be killed and then skinned by a guerrilla. As the camp is in complete fog, this gives the team a sense of security. They light a fire (smoke cannot be spotted) and can cook the meat that will be appreciated by all….
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(Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
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For number 17, it says Tissot. It’s Ms. Tisserand. Her husband is number 18. In this photo is not the young Allume: he had to leave already for his crazy adventure.
The cold is so cold, that Mrs Tisserand (Tissot) who suffered a lot the previous night as well as the injured decide to sleep in Father Rajon’s cabin despite the risks.
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Pierre Montaz joins Dr Tisserand’s group
On the day of August 16, Pierre Montaz leaves Alpe D’Huez because he wants to join the wounded of Tisserand. When he arrives at the Alpette, he is astonished by the battlefield he discovers. One of the two cabins burned down completely because the French at the end of the fight used incendiary bullets. But what happened? Then in a corner, always hidden between the stones, he finds Seyer who explains to him and describes this dantesque fight. He also reports that the group of wounded went to hide at Father Rajon’s hut and that they are without life. In the spirit of his 20 years, not impressed by these long mountain races, Pierre Montaz immediately goes back down to the resort to find food and then to the wounded at the Rajon hut!
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Pierre Montaz (born 1924) at the time of writing his book in 1994 (Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
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With the sheep caught by the Americans and Pierre Montaz’s food, the group can finally eat more widely (a sheep for 20 people over 3 days is not huge either). Rolls are made with a mixture of flour and sheep fat (I suppose the flour was brought by P. Montaz). In his book he specifies that the taste was mediocre but the whole well caloric !!
He tells the group about the arrival of the Germans in Alpe D’Huez, the setbacks that the Germans suffered in the Oisans, he tells them the big news: the landing of Provence took place on August 15, 1944. The group’s joy is at its peak, especially since the Allies are coming back from Provence very quickly because the Resistance has done an enormous job. On August 17 Sisteron is released, on August 20, 1944 Gap is released before the arrival of the Americans by the Maquis, Grenoble released on August 21, Vizille will be released on August 23 by the guerrillas. In Gap and Vizille all Germans are taken prisoner.
Dr. Tisserand asks Pierre Montaz to take his wife to the Bourg D’Oisans hospital. Both go down first (i.e. the 1st day) at Alpe D’Huez. Then the next day they finish the descent on foot (no car runs) until the Bourg D’Oisan. And Pierre Montaz added, « Arriving at Le Bourg, I am happy to have accomplished this mission, but even happier to entrust my protege to Dr Faure’s clinic. Mrs Tisserand, in the week of the Liberation (August 23, 1944), gave birth to a little Danielle. Did this baby wait for the birth of a free world...? »
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Dr Tisserand decides on August 20 to descend into the valley
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The news that comes to the band is incredible. The Germans are in difficulty, blocked in some valleys by the Resistance (thanks to Lieutenant Menton among others), they are undecided, lacking in bite. They try to go to Italy, they are turned away by the Resistance. The book doesn’t say so, but they were certainly ordered to go up (since the landing) to the northeast to defend the country. But the guerrillas can’t hear it with this ear. They want to cut them off, take them prisoner or even crush them … why not?
Commander Beyle went up to the wounded to the Rajon hut to visit them and give them all this good news. The Germans have left the Vaujany sector and are trying in vain to penetrate the Olle Water Valley. He reports that currently the area of Rivier d’Allemont is quiet and that it is an opportunity to go back down into the valley. Dr Beyle and Dr Tisserand decided on August 20, 1944 that the time had come to go down … with some risks anyway. This descent will take place in 2 groups:
1/ minor injuries on one side with Dr Tisserand.
2/ the other seriously injured with Dr Roux,
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The group of Dr Tisserand during the descent towards Rivier d’Allemont (Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
Group 1: In this photo, we identify 8 American crew members. In a white shirt, Noël Monod was performing for the entire stay. He was fluent in English and German. He was the one who took the majority of the photos. After the war, he made a career at the UN where he had great responsibilities. This group of Dr Tisserand (and of the 11 Americans) will arrive in the evening at destination after some adventures, FFI post crossings, very cautious approach of the villages. In the evening, everyone is housed, eating like ogres, « after having swallowed an impressive number of steaks » points out Pierre Montaz.
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Dr. Roux’s Group 2 will be much longer in his journey, given the serious injuries. They will arrive at their destination at 10 a.m. the next day, 26 hours after leaving Father Rajon’s cabin. It’s a feat for people who are exhausted, hungry, injured…a great feat and a lot of courage. » What these men did, a beast wouldn’t have done«
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First junction with the Americans on August 21, 1944
An American officer was parachuted on the Oisans, certainly to assess the forces present and pass on his information to his headquarters. He soon learned that a crew of 11 airmen was hiding in the scrub after their planes were shot down. On this, very quickly, he finds them at Rivier D’Allemont on August 21, passing by the Pas de la Coche. After exchanging information and friendliness, our 11 airmen returned to American authority. They have just lived 34 unforgettable days: they are transformed men.
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22 August 1944 German shrinker
The guerrillas learned that Grenoble was liberated and that the Germans were trying to flee the region to go up to the northeast. The French must stop their « escape » through the Sabot or Lautaret pass in order to avoid burning villages, looting, killings.
As a result, the Germans are pushed back towards Vizille from where they try to escape in force by the Romanche but the guerrillas already positioned have clearly the upper hand and inflict heavy losses on them.
During the day the French learn that the Americans are there, at the gates of Vizille. Lanvin decides (he goes by motorcycle) to inform the Americans about the positioning of the men. The guerrillas have indeed suffered some unfortunate gunfire. The American command is astounded to see that the Resistance has the situation in hand over the entire sector. Finally, since the landing in Provence, they have not had a single injury and are climbing back to the Alps without difficulty.
Anecdote: Lanvin coming back to these men, tells them that he saw in the Americans an incredible car (the famous jeep) that passes everywhere and whose look is very curious, and that he also saw a kind of wireless phone (the 1st walkie-talkie) that allowed officers to instantly communicate information among themselves …incredible for the time.
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August 23 Release of Vizille
For Grenoble and Vizille, the guerrillas decreed a real popular insurrection. In Grenoble, the Germans left on their own on August 21. But in Vizille, they are surrounded by FFI of the Oisans, assisted by those of Champsaur and Grenoble. They manage to take refuge in the castle. The inhabitants of the city help the maquis, one with a handgun, the other with a shotgun… Finally the whole city rises.
A local’s letter tells us about the events «the Germans were very afraid to go to the FFI and to be finally all killed. Before reaching the castle to take refuge there, my God, it was slamming and screaming from all sides, the fights were violent. They were finally able to get there, barricade themselves and wait for the Americans, who would be more lenient. A few hours later, seeing the Americans coming away, they took out the white flag and surrendered!”
An incredible joy invades the whole city that is finally liberated…. and the Americans are there to ensure this new freedom. All Germans are taken prisoner.
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The fate of our Americans
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In Grenoble liberated, the airmen celebrate the Victory. While they are on the terrace of a café, a Resistant of the last hour (dixit P. Montaz) shows off a German gun, manipulates it, and finally a shot leaves. The bullet pierces Ken’s thigh (the captain of the plane) and Mike’s thigh when they find themselves … in the hospital.
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(Photo taken from Pierre Montaz’s book)
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The 11 airmen joined Italy by car and plane-stop and then returned to their base in Spinazzola. They each pass the medical examination, are interrogated by the « Military Police ». Ten days later they arrived in New-Port-New and joined their family who had been warned of the happy news a few days earlier !!
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The reunion 40 years later!
1982: The crew of the plane is invited for the inauguration of the hospital of the armies in Grenoble which takes the name of Emile Pardé, Resistant who died in July 1944 in the Oisans. Ken, Carl, Marwin answered the invitation. Pierre Montaz was appointed to guide our Americans once again. After the ceremony, he accompanies them to Chorges where some people remember (40 years later!) the explosion of the plane and the parachutes in the sky. Our Americans cannot believe… and believe at the beginning that it is a staging … but no, we remember them very well!
.1983: The meeting of 1982 was very fraternal. Finally 9 of the aviators (2 died) meet in Bismark in Dakota. Some French people are taking part, including Pierre Montaz. The American press talks at length about this crazy adventure. They receive congratulations from their President.
1984: Reader’s Digest magazine of the month of September (not found in spite of my research) after interview of the aviators and Pierre Montaz, released an exceptional and well-written article on their July 1944 adventure
1985: the 9 aviators meet in France from July 17 to August 1 and « realize the incredible dream of a pilgrimage to each place of their epic between Prunières and Grenoble ». They are accompanied by their wives, children and grandchildren. They are promoted honorary citizens in the parish during an official ceremony and received officially in all the municipalities crossed.
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Photo taken in Prunières (photo of the Dauphiné Libéré).
1987: Birth of the « American Trek » association whose purpose is to perpetuate the memory, rebuild the period shelters. Father Rajon’s shelter was rebuilt in the summer of 1987 with the help of 3 sons of aviators, scouts from Europe and many good intentions.
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1990: The 9 airmen meet in Dayton on July 19, date of the 46th anniversary of the crash on Prunières. 20 Frenchmen from the « American Trek » make the trip. With the crew they visit the Air Force museum. Thanks to an exceptional authorization, they can (with a lot of emotion) take their place inside a freezer B24. Everyone was moved and had tears in their eyes.
1992: Inauguration of a monument in Prunières on the crash site in the presence of the highest civil, military, religious…
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1993: Kennon Sorgenfrei (the captain) of the plane is appointed by the President of the Republic Chevalier in the National Order of the Legion of Honour
1994: release of the book « Eleven Americans Falling from Heaven » written by Pierre Montaz
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END
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