French Hero,Sword and awards,Saigon resistance movement.

[Lindus]

A friend in Paris has aquired this most interesting historical item and Japanese Kempi Tei officers sword, I thought that the Militaria section of the membership like myself , would find this interesting. Just how often do you find a sword presented to a member of the resistance & awarded recognician by another country,particular interest to the French members.

[Lindus]

I hope you will agree that this is another snapshot into individual bravery that if possible should have more documentation and research. The award seems small{a silver oak leaf cluster} for such bravery.

 

Roy

[jason_mazzy]

I would love to see the swords.

[Lindus]

Will get JP to join the NMB and publish some pic's of the blade. While here if anyone from the French connection has any background on the Dr, it would be interesting, at least to me.

Roy

[Satsuma]

In September 1945, the Japanese in French Indo China surrendered to Lord Louis Mountabatten, South East Asia Command and Mountbatten directed General Gracey, 20th Indian Division to occupy Hanoi until the French could set up their administration. Now, in 1940, the Japanese annexed and occupied Indo-China and because the French surrendered in 1940 and became Vichy under that famous French victor of the Great War, Marshal Petain.

 

By mid 1945, the Japanese in French Indo China saw the writing on the wall and the French started to organise resistance to the occupier. One of these were a group nurses who were later caught by the Kempeitai and roughed up until 2nd September 1945.

 

In March 1946, on the farewell of General Gracey and his 20th Indian Division, he ordered the Japanese garrison officers and NCOs to surrender their swords. These nurses and members of the resisitance witnessed the surrender and each one from the hand of General Gracey.

 

There are several photographs to be gotten of this event by writing the IWM and asking for their photographic division. There is one photo of this event incidently in Fuller and Gregorys book, the Military swords and dirks volume.

 

Hope this information helps.

 

James

[ububob]

Roy,it seems to be done with characteristic understatement.