Cauchi, Eric Joseph Denis

Date of birth:: August 11th, 1917 (Syros, Greece)
Date of death:: February 5th, 1944 (Montbéliard/Doubs, France)
Buried on:: Franco-British War Cemetery Perreuse Château
Plot: 2. Row: C. Grave: 46.
Service number:: 279563
Nationality:: British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

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Mentioned in Dispatches

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government
Awarded on:: June 21st, 1945

Citation:
"This officer was parachuted into France in August 1943 as instructor to a circuit in the Jura. Shortly after his arrival, the organiser of the circuit was arrested, and Cauchi took over the leadership of the group.

Refusing to surrender to a squad of Feldgendarmes who had come to arrest him in February 1944, Cauchi, with two of his men, fought a gallant action and inflicted several casualties on the enemy before he was killed.

Lt. Cauchi had carried out his duties ably and devotedly and it is recommended that he be Mentioned in Despatches (Posthumous award).

Signed
Colin Gubbins
Major-General
4.4.45

This fight took place in Café Grangier, on the road between Montbéliard and Sochaux. Also was killed Jean Simon (SOE).

Sources

- JOHN GREHAN & MARTIN MACE, Unearthing Churchill's Secret Army, Pen & Sword Military, 2012.
- Recommendation for Award for Cauchi, Eric Rank: Lieutenant Service No: ... | The National Archives
- https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37138/supplement/3241
- Lieutenant Eric Joseph Denis Cauchi | War Casualty Details 2235319 | CWGC