Monday, March 17, 2025

French Resistance: Isabelle Nacry

One of the iconic photos of the French Resistance, pictruring Isabelle Nacry.

On September 9, 1944, the commander of the 8th Canadian Brigade, Brigadier Blackader, gave orders for the regrouping of his units to the North-East of Boulogne (St Martin les Boulogne, Pittefaux, Wimille), in order to deliver the final blow. The region was to be occupied by the 9th Brigade. In the center of La Capelle, the Canadian soldiers prepared to continue their journey. One of the German shells fell right in the center of the village: two FFI leaders, Marcel Caudevelle and Jean Legrand, were killed instantly. The command of the La Capelle free corps was then assumed by Isabelle Nacry, a first-time resistance fighter and liaison agent.

They continued their mission with rare efficiency beyond the capture of Boulogne (September 18) and until the neutralization of all German opposition. 

On Monday, November 8, 1944, in the Schramn barracks in Arras, during the parade, General Deligne awarded Isabelle Nacry the Croix de Guerre with citation, "showing the greatest courage, reasoned composure and the purest patriotism. Adored by her men, she never stopped commanding."


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