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visits! Valid at 60 Museums and Monuments. There are 2 and 4 day passes.
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Vignette - Maurice Poualion
Marcel Poualion's father in the suburbs of Paris as he rolled in
at the head of the Dio group.
He is driving the vehicle and waves his
'Kepi' to the crowd.
Contributed by Maurice Poualion's son, Marcel Poualion.
Text and image, copyright (c) 1996 Marcel Poualion, Used with permission.
The path followed by Leclerc's army is one of the greatest epics of French
Military history. . The group of 24 men who reached Douala in dug-out
canoes on the night of 26/8/40 became the 2nd Armored Division with 16,000
men rushing into Germany on 7/8/45. The troops of the Free French Army were
spurred by the overall mission set by their leader, General Leclerc, to
recapture France from the ennemy and liberate Paris.
The Liberation of Paris was the pinnacle of 5 years of battles and forced
marches through the deserts of Africa. It was the achievement that the men
of the 2nd Armored Division had dreamt of since its creation in Africa.
Leclerc speech after the victory of the battle of Kufra on 2/3/41 promised:
"Let's swear not to lay down our arms until our colours, our beautiful
colours float on the Cathedral of Stasbourg". The "Oath of Kufra" as it is
known, was to be realised and Paris was the crown to collect on the way.
The entry into Paris to the acclaim of the parisian crowds was the greatest
fulfilment of the war's efforts enjoyed by the troops : Paris and France
were liberated !
Maurice Poualion joined the Leclerc Free French Army in
Cameroon (Africa) as a legionnaire when it was created in 1940.
It only became known
later as the '2eme DB' (Second Armored Division). He participated to the
whole campaign thoughout Africa in Gabon, Tchad, Lybie, Fezzan, Tripolitaine
and Tunisia. He was then embarked for England and eventually landed in
France on the 2/8/44 with the 2nd Armored Division. He was with it
throughout the 'Campagne de France' and was one of the first columns to
enter Paris on the 24 August 1944 (Photo) with the 'Groupe Dio'. He then
participated to the offensive of the Ardennes to Germany and finished at
Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgarten.
He was wounded five times by bullets, grenades and shells. He received
four citations for courageous action under ennemy fire and received the
following medals :
Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur (Decret 20/12/50 - Journal Officiel 22/12/50)
Medaille Commemorative de la Guerre 39-45
Medaille coloniale d'outre mer avec barette Koufra (Decret 26/03/42)
Medaille coloniale d'outre mer avec barette Koufra Fezzan-Tripolitaine (Decret 23/01/43)
Medaille coloniale d'outre mer avec barette Koufra Tunisie 42-43 (Decret du 17/04/44)
Medaille des service volontaires de la France Libre.
Medaille de la Resistance (Decret 26/3/45; Journal officiel 30/3/45)
He finished the war as a 'Lieutenant de Reserve' in 1946 and
died in Cameroun in 1957.
Marcel Poualion currently lives in Australia. He can be reached at
marcel@myaccess.com.au.
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