The tribute to the maquisards

Every year on 28 August, the village of Mont-Cauvaire gathers for a poignant ceremony in tribute to Gaston Levasseur, a Resistance fighter from Duclair murdered by the Nazis in 1944. A memorial board has been erected at the site of the tragedy to commemorate this sacrifice. It was Jean-Pierre Engelhard, son of Auguste Engelhard, who initiated this annual commemoration in memory of his father.

Auguste Engelhard: A Central Figure of the Resistance

Auguste Engelhard, a horticulturalist from Duclair born in 1902, began his individual resistance on 11 November 1942 by organising a patriotic demonstration. In June 1943, he formed and led a resistance group linked to the Front national de lutte pour la Libération. By September of the same year, his group was attached to the Francs-tireurs et partisans (FTP). As section leader, Auguste Engelhard took charge of recovering weapons and explosives. He was also in contact with other organisations, such as the Maquis Surcouf, and participated in the rescue of Allied pilots. His wife, Josèphe Engelhard, nicknamed "The Fairy," was also an active resistance member, transporting arms and ammunition. In July 1944, wanted by the German police, Auguste went underground. By the Liberation, his 11th FTPF Company comprised 98 men and women.

The Ambush of 28 August 1944

In mid-August 1944, as the Germans retreated, the Resistance on the north bank of the Seine attacked isolated groups. On 28 August, Auguste Engelhard and eight of his men came face-to-face with Waffen-SS from the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen. The nine resistance fighters were captured and taken hostage in armoured vehicles. Among them were Auguste Engelhard, Gaston Levasseur, and Marcel Gistau.

The heavily armed convoy left Duclair. En route, two of the vehicles stopped, and their occupants managed to escape. The third vehicle, a light tracked carrier transporting Auguste Engelhard, Gaston Levasseur, and Marcel Gistau, stopped at the top of the Tendos hill. The SS ordered the prisoners to disembark and opened fire on them.

• Gaston Levasseur, aged 25, was killed instantly.

• Auguste Engelhard was seriously wounded but left for dead by the soldiers.

• Marcel Gistau struck a soldier and took advantage of the confusion to flee into the forest.

Survival and Posthumous Tribute

The following day, despite his injuries, Auguste Engelhard managed to reach the village of Mont-Cauvaire. He was treated by Father Tissot and later by Doctor Boquet. The body of Gaston Levasseur was recovered and taken to the town hall. The mention "Died for France" (Mort pour la France) was inscribed in the margin of his death certificate on 31 January 1947.

Despite his wounds, Auguste Engelhard resumed his duties as Resistance leader and was appointed Mayor of Duclair on 27 November 1944. He was awarded the Croix de guerre for his service. For his part, Marcel Gistau enlisted in the 5th Normandy March Battalion.

The sacrifice of Gaston Levasseur stands as a symbol of courage in the face of tyranny, his name remaining great alongside the heroes of history. His memory and the heroism of the Duclair resistance fighters continue to inspire future generations.