Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel

Unit:

F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

June 21st, 1945

Recommendation:
"This officer was landed in France by Lysander in March 1943 to build up a circuit in the South East of France for sabotage and guerilla warefare.
He had never previously been in that country.
From the earliest days of his work it was apparant that he was one of the most outstanding organisers in the field. This was borne out on D.Day when his organisation numbered 20.000 men of which at least 15.000 were fully armed.

In November 1943, when the great potentialities of his group were realised, Cammaerts was recalled to London for consultations and further orders. On his return journey to France in February 1944, the aircraft in which he was travelling caught fire some 250 miles from its objective and Cammaerts jumped from 10.000 feet.
Faced with the formidable task of reaching his own area by himslef, his first thought was nevertheless for the aircrew which had baled out.
After several days he succeeded in finding the whole crew; he took them under his charge and eventually arranged ther return home through Spain. Cammaerts, for whose capture the enemy was offering three million francs, ran the graves risks by so sponsoring non-French speaking uniformed personnel at a time when his own security was in jeopardy.
On return to his area, Cammaerts rapidly developed his circuit, showing outstanding leadership and organising ability. He travelled extensively regardless of his own personal safety, though the Gestapo were on his trail and had a complete and accurate description of him. His groups carried out relentless sabotage attacks against communications and power lines and in the period before D-day they destroyed over 70 locomotives and derailed numerous trains.

Shortly after D-Day Cammaerts reported that all D-Day targets had been attacked, that all traffic in his area had ceased, and that all telephone lines were cut. He was in a position to declare open war on the enemy in 5 departments on receipt of orders from London. These were given as soon as the Allied armies landed in the south of France, and Cammaerts' groups played a large part in their rapid and successful advance northwards.
These groups constitued such a serious menace to the enemy that several large-scale attacks were made on their positions, and the Maquis H.Q. was repeatedly bombed.

In August Cammaerts was arrested by an unlucky chance and was sentenced to be shot by the Gestapo, but three hours before the execution was due to take place he escaped with the help of members of his circuit.

This officers' individual efforts in the cause of resistance were outstanding. His personal leadership in ambushes and actions against the enemy endeared him to his men who held him in veneration. A brave, resolute and intelligent leader whose work will long be remembered in France and whose efforts were of inestimable value to the allied armies, it is strongly recommended that he be appointed a Companion in the Distinguished Service Order."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel

Unit:

F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government

Awarded on:

January 28th, 1949

"Lieutenant-Colonel FRANCIS C.A. CAMMAERTS, British Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in enemy-occupied territory, from 17 March 1943 to Sepember 1944. Lieutenant-Colonel Cammaerts, having infiltrated into enemy occupied territory for the purpose of organizing, arming and training Resistance Forces in Southeastern France, accomplished this difficult mission with outstanding courage, coolness and ability. Despite continual dangers owing to betrayal and arrest, he built up a powerful organization which effectively immobilized the enemy in this area. He undertook tremendous risks in assuring the safety of members of allied missions with whom he worked and participated courageously in all activities of the circuit. His heroic actions contributed immeasurably to the success of American operations during the invasion and liberation of Southern France."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)