Chass, Pierre: my Army and Special Operations Executive recollections (April 12, 1983)
PublicABSTRACT: Col. Pierre Chassé Royal 22e Regiment Special Operations Executive Chasse_P_0155_01.mp3 (Side 1) While Chassé was serving in Italy as a captain, the regiment, through Maj.-Gen. Georges Vanier in Algiers, received a call for two French-speaking officers to act as liaison officers with the French forces. This turned out to be a call for agents to go to occupied France. Recounts some prewar experiences: born on Apr. 4, 1923 in the Citadel, Quebec City, to a military family. Commissioned in 1941 as a second lieutenant. Took part in the invasions of Sicily and Italy. Since he and another officer had weapons and battle experience training as agents was brief. Cover story used: Pierre Dorval (?), a young artist. His mission was to represent the Allied High Command in the Rhone area and to attempt to coordinate the efforts of the underground in attacking the Germans. Claims the resistance caused about five thousand German casualties in about six months and later he personally accepted the surrender of about seven thousand Germans. Also prevented the movement of troops to the north to reinforce the German Army in Normandy after D-Day. Dropped into France on Apr. 6, 1944 and stayed there until Nov. that year. Explains that some "unfortunate" things happened to collaborators. Made contact with the Francs Tireurs Partisans, a Communist group. Carried about five million francs to help finance operations. Ammunition and explosives were dropped on request. Had to keep moving because of informers, many of whom were under pressure from the Gestapo. A few days after his arrival the Germans offered a reward of two million francs for his and another agent's capture. Controlled guerrilla units by using the threat of withholding much-needed supplies. Comments on some cases where the Communist forces were discriminated against by the Allied forces; a pity, since the Communist groups were good at their business. (20:00) Sometimes the resistance was too enthusiastic and this resulted in unnecessary casualties. He had two radio operators in this team, contacted London or Algiers twice per day. Necessary to keep moving so that they would not be located by German wireless direction-finding equipment mounted in automobiles. Some discussion about a French officer, Col. Vaucheret (?) who was highly regarded and with whom he worked closely. Again comments on the problem of keeping resistance members under control. Many were very young and had to be reminded that they had few arms. Very difficult to stop these young men from launching suicidal attacks without heavy weapons against the Germans. (35:00) In Aug. 1944 he accepted the surrender of many Germans who did not wish to surrender to the underground. Details of this operation. Major problem feeding seven thousand prisoners. Reprisals carried out by the resistance in Lyon were rather shocking to him. Explains the importance of the Rhone Valley and the excellent terrain there for underground operations. A problem was posed by people talking too much in a general way. One had to learn to be extremely discreet. (45:00) Chasse_P_0155_02.mp3 (Side 2) Shortly thereafter he asked to be returned to England. The French government awarded him the Croix de Guerre with Palm for which he returned to Paris. He and a group of officers were asked to leave France within twenty-four hours because they had been closely associated with the Communist resistance which was not popular with de Gaulle. Critical of the British B-2 radio set issued in a suitcase because they all looked the same and became easily recognized by the Germans. Very dependable support by the Royal Air Force. Debriefing included his opinion of forged papers, money supply, etc. Mentions cyanide capsules in case suicide became necessary. British Intelligence were very good about supporting their agents, gave a very secure feeling. Discusses the position of our present defence forces: believes that they are necessary, but war is not. Comments on his method of dealing with fear. After six months in France he had lost forty pounds and had become very nervous. At the end of the war he remembers being amazed at the trivia about which Canadians complained. Found himself very self-contained and had great difficulty in communicating with people. Stayed in the army as he felt that there was still a job to be done. Enjoyed his military career; a wonderful life. Felt that by the time he commanded the Royal 22e Regiment he could in some way help to improve the lives of those he commanded. (29:00)
An interview/narrative of Pierre Chass's experiences during World War II. Colonel Chass served with the Royal 22e Regiment and Special Operations Executive. Interview took place on April 12, 1983.
Interviewer: Stafford, David A. T.
Rank: Colonel.
Interviewee: Chass, Pierre, b. 1923
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 46, 2
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- One original sound cassette (ca. 75 min.) : 2 track, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- CP_155
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/david-stafford-fonds
- January 12, 2010
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2010. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
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