In the footsteps of the Commandos d’Afrique in Belfort and its region

François Bonin, president, Patrice Caserio, treasurer, Yves Boyer, secretary general and his wife, Jean-Patrick André, vice president, Corinne Bianchi, pennant bearer and her mother Marie Pessognelli, Saïd Smaili, flag bearer of the FNAM, Patricia and Robert Di Cioccio for the Spada family walked in the footsteps of the Commandos d'Afrique during the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belfort and its surrounding area. These territories were hard hit by fierce and bitter fighting during which many Commandos d’Afrique fell on the field of honor. There were more than 40 killed or missing in the fighting of Offemont in the bois d’Arsot, on November 22, 1944, and more than 190 killed or missing in the fighting of Cernay, on January 21, 1945.

THE SACRIFICE OF THE COMMANDOS

Thus, on November 22 in Cravanche, François Bonin received the medal of the Ville d'Offemont from the hands of the mayor Pierre Carles, surrounded by his elected officials, the mayor of Vétrine and the veterans. “The speeches were deeply moving, so grateful are these territories for the sacrifice made by the Commandos d'Afrique. So many flagpoles, war memorials, and steles to their glory line these bruised territories. So many squares, streets, and roundabouts in honor of the Commandos d’Afrique proudly bear the coat of arms of this mythical unit. They are there, so present in the collective consciousness, despite the blood and tears, that one could expect to see a column of Commandos emerge from the woods in Offemont, or a jeep with Commandos d’Afrique coming out of a street in Cravanche,” says Yves Boyer, secretary general of the Amicale des Commandos d'Afrique. The Varois were welcomed with open arms by members of patriotic associations and anonymous citizens in Offemont, Cravanche, Evette-Salbert, Giromagny and Salins les Bains. “The Amicale thanks the mayors, the municipalities, the patriotic associations, and the individuals who made this memorable trip possible, ensuring it remains forever engraved in our memories and our hearts. On his part, François Bonin thanked the Fédération Nationale André Maginot, the mayors of La Londe-les-Maures and Bormes-les-Mimosas, François de Canson and François Arizzi, for their support which made this memorial pilgrimage possible,” recalls Yves Boyer.

REMEMBRANCE

On November 23, the Var delegation took part in the patriotic ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Offemont, Belfort, and Cravanche in the presence of their mayors and civil and military authorities. In Offemont, there was a wreath-laying and a moment of silence in tribute to the liberators. Here, many Commandos d’Afrique lost their lives on November 22, 1944. Then, the Varois took part in the inauguration of the place Capitaine François de Leusse in the presence of his family. In Belfort, after a wreath-laying, there was a moment of reflection in front of the monument aux morts des Mobiles and at the stele in front of the Alsthom company. In Cravanche, after a wreath-laying and a moment of silence in front of the Arche des Commandos d’Afrique, a vibrant tribute was paid by Yves Deval, Commando d’honneur. In Chalonvillars, the Var guests gathered at the site where corporal from La Londe Joseph Spada fell, in the presence of his niece Patricia di Cioccio and her husband Robert. Along with a tribute under the Lion of Belfort with the pennant of the Commandos d’Afrique and the flag of the Amicale des Combattants et Victimes de Guerre Le Lavandou - Bormes - Le Rayol. “Le Fort du Salbert, which overlooks Belfort, was occupied by a German artillery regiment. When the Commandos d’Afrique went on the assault, they only found the caretaker's wife. The Germans had left the day before. In Salbert, Giromagny, and Cernay, the Varois were received by Pascal Laurent and the association « Il était autrefois Evette-Salbert », before the screening of a poignant film to the glory of the Commandos d’Afrique in the Belfort territory, a visit to the exhibition dedicated to this period, and the presentation of the commemorative medal for the 80th anniversary of the Débarquement de Provence,” continues Yves Boyer.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HEROES

“In the footsteps of our heroes, guided by Pascal Faivre, we went to Giromagny, passing in front of the infamous house occupied by the Gestapo where a young resistance fighter, Auguste Weiss, was shot following his escape. We stopped in the central square where the military ceremonies took place and visited the quarters where the Commandos d’Afrique were billeted. Then, we went in front of the castle where battalion commander Bouvet had established his command post,” continues the secretary general. In Cernay, the Varois met the daughter and grandson of Corporal Raphaël Salmon, near the woods where more than 190 Commandos d’Afrique were killed or reported missing in the fighting of the forêt de Nonnenbrück on January 21, 1945. “Our search for the commemorative stele in tribute to these Commandos d’Afrique who fell for France proved to be very complicated. After two hours of searching, asking around, and numerous phone calls, we finally found it, at nightfall, thanks to a local resident. What a sadness! This monument is abandoned and unmaintained. A shame and an insult to the memory of these heroes, so poorly considered and thanked. It is a red card for the municipality of Cernay for the lack of signage, the neglect of this dilapidated stele, and the disrespect for the memory of these heroes who fell on its territory. After an intervention by the president, it will be restored for the remembrance days on May 17 by the Souvenir Français and the young firefighters,” concludes the secretary general. Finally, in Salins les Bains, a liturgical service was held with a large number of Commandos before a visit to the church and the chapelle Notre-Dame-Libératrice. •

Pascal Faivre, president of the historical reenactment association « Mémoire du Lion », was present at most of the ceremonies. He is now the delegate of the Amicale des Commandos for the Belfort-Cernay-Giromagny region.