Brive-La-Gaillarde, a town of resistance fighters who did not give up!
Published on October 9, 2020 by Julie
Historical context
Let's go back almost 60 years to our city besieged by the Germans. On May 13, 1940, the German army, also called the Wehrmacht, crushed French troops and invaded the country. Millions of civilians then head south. It's the exodus. Indescribable chaos! France is fragmented and amputated. A border, the demarcation line, separates the country into two large zones. From July 11, the State chose the path of collaboration. Many French people do not see it that way, and opt for the Resistance!
Edmond Michelet
At the head of the resistance, an essential figure of our city: Edmond Michelet, whose 50th anniversary of his death we are celebrating. Arriving in Corrèze at the end of the First World War, he met his wife there and settled there. A true actor in the resistance and not having been able to go to the front as the father of a large family, he devoted himself to the resistance. He became the regional leader of “Combat” then of the MUR (United Resistance Movements, for region 5).
On June 17, 1940, the town of Brive-La-Gaillarde was stormed by this secret resistance movement: Edmond and some of his friends distributed leaflets containing a text by Peguy Charles, a French writer.
Unfortunately, our hero was arrested by the Germans on September 15, 1943, and was deported to the Dachau concentration camp.
He was not able to witness the liberation of our Corrézienne city. On August 15, 1944, Brive, a deserted and silent town, hides within it resistance fighters of all ages who are preparing to make history. Among them, 3 young resistance fighters will leave the maquis to liberate Brive. They make our Gaillarde city a symbol of resistance as the first liberated city in France.
Edmond Michelet sees himself returning to France after 2 years of confinement, he will then become minister of different ministries, the last of which is that of culture.
The strong man of the resistance, will end his life in the wasteland on October 9, 1970.
Find the story of this hero and resistance in general at Edmond Michelet museum .
Teaching children the role of resistance
If you wish to share the history of the Resistance with your children or grandchildren, while combining education and a more playful side, we offer you:
- to browse the Geocaching circuit “Stone Cross, Iron Cross” which takes on the appearance of a treasure hunt and which follows the paths of resistance. You will cross resistance camps and farms. Let yourself be guided by the slate plates which will tell you the context of this troubled era, the life of the resistance fighters, the dangers and tragedies of those who refused, at the risk of their lives, defeat and occupation.
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