Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

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

Awarded on:

November 11th, 1943

Citation:
"Major DE BAISSAC was parachuted into France on 30th July, 1942. He was injured on landing, but as soon as he recovered, he set about carrying out his mission, which was to build up in Occupied Territory a resistance organisation and to arrange for the reception of stores by parachute.

In spite of the fact that the particular area in which he was working was heavily supervised by German troops and by the Gestapo, Major de Baissac has succeeded in building up a very strong organisation which now covers the whole of the ex-occupied zone from the Loire to the Pyrenees, with the sub-groups around Paris and in the North West.

In May, 1943, he returned to this country to report and receive instruction. He was a second time parachuted into France to carry on with his work.
During the time he has been in the Field, Major de Baissac has organised and received about 100 deliveries of stores by parachute.

Intelligence received from his organisation regarding blockade runners operating from Bordeaux has been graded very high by the Ministry of Economic Warfare. The Admiralty have also expressed their appreciation of this information which they, too, rate highly.

Major de Baissac has proved himself to have great powers of leadership. His personal courage is vouched for by the fact that he has carried on his work under very dangerous conditions, having been hunted by the Gestapo, but in spite of all this the continuity of his work has been uniterrupted for over a year.

He has been a fine example to the men working under him and is personally responsible for the large resistance organisation which he has succeeded in creating.

I recommend that he be awarded the DSO."

Signed by Gubbins, Major-General

Initially recommended for a MC but opgraded to a DSO.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

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

Awarded on:

February 28th, 1946

Recommendation:
This officer carried out two separate missions in France. At the conclusion of his first mission in 1943 he was awarded the D.S.O. This citation deals with his second mission.
Major de Baissac was parachuted into France for the second time in February 1944 to organise a circuit in Normandy. With great ability he established groups in many different areas, particularly the departments of Orne, Calvados, Mayenne, and Ille et Vilaine. His efficiency in organising parachute receptions enabled him to arm his group effectively and by D.Day he had ready an efficient sabotage and small-scale guerilla organisation.
After D.Day de Baissac's groups played an important part in disrupting enemy movements towards the Normandy front by cutting railways and telecommunications and ambushing German road convoys. His groups also provided valuable intelligence on enemy dispositions, troop movements and locations of various German field H.Q.s. which Major de Baissac regularly sent to England by wireless and so enabled prompt action to be taken by the R.A.F. He also gave very great assistance to a British officer, who was organising an intelligence system to pass men singly through enemy lines to the Allied troops and then guide them in their advance, and due to the contacts and the Lieutenant de Baissac provided, this mission was entirely successful.
De Baissac himself took part in numerous affrays with the enemy, and distinguished himself by his courage and his leadership.
On one night in mid-July, 1944, he was receiving a supply drop from England of stores which were of vital importance to the Maquis in the area and to a section of the 1st S.A.S. Regt. The stores were still being dropped when the reception party was interrupted by a German patrol. Though heavily outnumbered and armed with inferior weapons, Major de Baissac decided to engage the enemy. Throughout the action which followed he set an example of the highest gallantry. By his leadership, enthusiasm and courage he so inspired his handful of men that after twenty minutes the patrol was forced to withdraw leaving many killed and wounded.
On another occasion Major de Baissac had established his H.Q. on the 1st floor of a house together with a small store containing wireless sets and arms, when the Germans occupied the ground floor. Major de Baissac realised that a single mistake would imperil the life of himself and his party and the security of the whole Maquis Organisation in the area. In spite of this Major de Baissac remained where he was and took advantage of the situation to obtain valuable information regarding enemy weapons.
An S.A.S. officer who worked in the area during July and August paid tribute to de Baissac's work in the following words: -
"By his energy and untiring perserverance, together with his exceptional planning and organising ability, he undoubtedly had a large share in facilitating the American advance through the province of Mayenne. He shouldered grave responsibilities, and had many difficult decisions to make. To my certain knowledge he risked his life three times, and accounted for a considerable number of the enemy. He was at all times fearless, and treated his own personal safety with utter contempt."
For his great bravery and fine record of service it is recommended that Major de Baissac be awarded a Bar to his D.S.O."

Second DSO awarded as a bar.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

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

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

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