Jardres demarcation line

ZONE DE DEMARCATION
25 JUNE 1940-1 MARCH 1943
The armistice with Germany, which came into effect on 25 June 1940, provided for the occupation by the German Army of the entire northern half of France and a wide strip of territory along the Atlantic coast to the Spanish border. The rest of the country formed what came to be known as the unoccupied or free zone. Between the two, the "demarcation line" was marked by military posts at the crossing points of each road. From one post to the next, patrols of soldiers aided by dogs completed the cordon and prevented the line from being crossed.
However, it was this line that all those obsessed by the same dream came up against: escaping servitude.
Evaders from the camps, resistance fighters, members of all the networks that fought the invader, all had to cross the line. Most succeeded. Some, alas, lost their lives. They were helped in this perilous task by numerous "passeurs" living in the border zone. Their knowledge of the place and the people enabled them to choose the best routes and times for the crossing.
How many of these patriots devoted themselves in the shadow of clandestinity, gambling with their lives every day, and who, when peace returned returned to their work, without flaunting a heroism that they took for granted.
It is right, in this place, to bear witness to them and to recall the sacrifice of those who left their lives there.
From 1940 to March 1, 1943 existed, on this spot, a border post of the demarcation line. The calvary that perpetuates its memory was erected on December 25, 1945, on the initiative of Abbé Jean TOULAT, former parish priest of JARDRES. Pierre SAILHAN
Contribution and photo credit Le Bourvellec Eric
Panel texts

ZONE DE DEMARCATION25 JUNE 1940-1 MARCH 1943The armistice with Germany, which came into effect on 25 June 1940, provided for the occupation by the German Army of the entire northern half of France and a wide strip of territory along the Atlantic coast to the Spanish border. The rest of the country formed what came to be known as the unoccupied or free zone. Between the two, the demarcation line was marked by military posts at the crossing points of each road. From one post to the next, patrols of soldiers aided by dogs completed the cordon and prevented the line from being crossed.However, it was this line that all those obsessed by the same dream came up against: escaping servitude.Evaders from the camps, resistance fighters, members of all the networks that fought the invader, all had to cross the line. Most succeeded. Some, alas, lost their lives. They were helped in this perilous task by numerous passeurs living in the border zone. Their knowledge of the place and the people enabled them to choose the best routes and times for the crossing. How many of these patriots devoted themselves in the shadow of clandestinity, gambling with their lives every day, and who, when peace returned returned to their work, without flaunting a heroism that they took for granted.It is right, in this place, to bear witness to them and to recall the sacrifice of those who left their lives there.From 1940 to March 1, 1943 existed, on this spot, a border post of the demarcation line. The calvary that perpetuates its memory was erected on December 25, 1945, on the initiative of Abbé Jean TOULAT, former parish priest of JARDRES. Pierre SAILHANContribution and photo credit Le Bourvellec EricPanel texts