VITRAIL MISSION

   The mission "Vitrail" also finished in a dramatic way. Jacques Voyer (observer) and André Guillebaud (radio), were dropped in the night of the 10th to 11th April 44 in the Chartres region. Other men and supplies were dropped twice. In terms of results this mission was successful due to the quantity of information being of the highest importance. Mainly messages concerning the movements of the S.S. division "Lehr" were sent on to London.

     During an observation of troop movements, André Guillebaud noticed "emblems” or badges of unknown units painted on vehicles. He made fast sketches of these and gave them to Jacques Voyer for identification. On the 10th of June, when Voyer approached the convoy to learn some more, he was taken in for questioning by two Field Police who required him to show his papers. The sketches in question were in his wallet and fell into the hands of the Germans. In spite of this dilemma Voyer tried to escape but received two bullets fired by the police officers and was imprisoned.

     Tortured for more than eight days he did not speak. On the June 26th June he was bought before a German military tribunal and was sentenced to death for espionage. He was shot the following day, at the rifle practice ground in Chavannes, near to Chartres. On 20th January 1946, General de Gaulle posthumously decorated him Compagnon de la Libération. A number of SUSSEX agents were deported, shot or reported missing. It is very difficult today to estimate exactly how many. As for Andre Guillebaud, he fortunately escaped from searches and was able to carry out a new Sussex mission in Northern France.

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