Maloubier, Robert "Bob"

Date of birth:: February 2nd, 1923 (Neuilly-sur-Seine)
Date of death:: February 20th, 2015
Nationality:: French

Biography

Bob Maloubier (Nom de Guerre "Robert Mortier") was a French secret agent who worked for the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) in World War II.He received his training at Wanborough Manor in Surrey.
Following the war, Maloubier went on to become a founding member of the Service de Documentation Extérieure et de Contre-Espionnage. He also designed one of the world's first modern diving watches, when he saw the need for one that could be seen in muddy waters. He took his and Claude Riffaud's drawings to Blancpain, who then created its Fifty Fathoms watch that had a water resistance guaranteed for 91.45 metres (300.0 ft).

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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

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

Citation:
"This officer was dropped by parachute into France for the first time in August 1943 to be a sabotage instructor to resistance groups in the ROUEN district.

His personality was such that he became in addition a prominent member of the action branch and led several successful coups.

Among the attacks led by this officer was that on the Compagnie Francaise des Mataux, producing aluminum sheeting for the Luftwaffe.
This factory was brought to a complete stop for a period of two weeks. In a second case Mortier led successfully an attack on two large transmitters which constituted the main station for ROUEN. Both of these were destroyed.

Soon after this he was arrested by the Feldgendarmerie but succeeded in escaping with a bullet through the base of his lung. In consequence he was evacuated to England.

When he had recovered, however, he volunteered for a second mission and was dropped again into France. As second in command to the officer commanding resistance in the HAUTE VIENNE he took a prominent part in instructing and leading attacks, particularly on railway lines. His outstanding feat was an attack lasting eight days, during which he carried out constant demolitions under enemy fire, in the SUSSAC area,

In the second half of July, just before the liberation of this area, he was wounded for the second time while endeavoring to take prisoners single handed near MEZIERES.

Captain Mortier proved to be an able and active officer without fear in action and an inspiration to those under his command. For his gallantry and sustained initiative under enemy fire it is recommended that this officer be appointed a Companion in the Distinguished Service Order."

Signed
Colin Gubbins
Major-General