Maquis du Mont Mouchet

The Maquis du Mont Mouchet (French pronunciation: [maki dy mɔ̃ mu ʃɛ]) were a group of French resistance fighters during the Second World War that were based at Mont Mouchet.

Battle of Mont Mouchet

Geographic organization of the French Resistance. Mont Mouchet is on the border of R6 and R3
DateMay 1944 – June 1944
Location44°58′32″N 3°22′22″E / 44.9756°N 3.3728°E / 44.9756; 3.3728
Result German victory
Belligerents
Free France French Resistance

 Germany
Vichy France

Commanders and leaders
Free France Émile Coulaudon Nazi Germany Curt von Jesser
Strength
2,700 maquisards 3,000 german soldiers; unknown number of policemen and Milice Franc-Gardes
Casualties and losses
238 dead
180 wounded
unknown
100 civilians executed by the Germans

The Germans, having discovered the maquis, made several attacks up until May 1944 with about 3,000 men and using aviation and armoured units. The maquisards fought back fiercely.

Little information is available on the German forces. Historians have identified some units:

These were reinforced from:

After several days of combat, the final German attack forced the maquisards to fall back and disperse. Out of revenge for their previous losses, the Germans pillaged several of the surrounding villages, including Clavières.

In the course of the battles, the French Forces of the Interior sustained severe losses: 238 killed and 180 wounded as well as about 100 hostages executed by the Nazis.

Sources

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