The Bourg de Péage sailors

At the end of June 1940, as the country descended into chaos, 1,500 soldiers, supported by a handful of airmen and sailors, stopped the last German offensive of the French campaign in the north of the Drôme. On June 20, 1940, the Romans and Bourg de Péage bridges were destroyed by engineers to hinder the German advance, as were other bridges over the Isère and Drôme rivers (last destruction on June 24).

A 65 mm cannon is placed on each of the bridges over the Isère. They come from ships based in Toulon and are operated by marine gunners.

The armistice signed at Rotonde on June 20 was not "effective" until 0:35 on June 25, after ratification by the Italians.

On June 23, the "Pont Vieux" cannon was put out of action. On the 24th, a shot from the Pont Neuf battery destroys a German car, killing its 3 occupants. In a counter-attack, the marine gun came under heavy artillery fire at 2pm, killing sailors Raymond Auvray and Louis Pascal and wounding two others.

Bourg-de-Péage remained French; Romans was occupied until July 5, 1940, when the Germans returned behind the demarcation line.

General Olry's army stopped the 4th Panzer Division in the Battle of the Alps.

Contribution and photo credit Bernard PERRIN

At the end of June 1940, as the country descended into chaos, 1,500 soldiers, supported by a handful of airmen and sailors, stopped the last German offensive of the French campaign in the north of the Drôme. On June 20, 1940, the Romans and Bourg de Péage bridges were destroyed by engineers to hinder the German advance, as were other bridges over the Isère and Drôme rivers (last destruction on June 24).A 65 mm cannon is placed on each of the bridges over the Isère. They come from ships based in Toulon and are operated by marine gunners.The armistice signed at Rotonde on June 20 was not effective until 0:35 on June 25, after ratification by the Italians.On June 23, the Pont Vieux cannon was put out of action. On the 24th, a shot from the Pont Neuf battery destroys a German car, killing its 3 occupants. In a counter-attack, the marine gun came under heavy artillery fire at 2pm, killing sailors Raymond Auvray and Louis Pascal and wounding two others.Bourg-de-Péage remained French; Romans was occupied until July 5, 1940, when the Germans returned behind the demarcation line.General Olry's army stopped the 4th Panzer Division in the Battle of the Alps.Contribution and photo credit Bernard PERRIN