Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action, Free French Forces

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action, Free French Forces

3 citations

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action, Free French Forces

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergent Chef

Unit:

Secret Intelligence Service (SIS/MI6), Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), War Office, British Government

Awarded on:

September 30th, 1943

Recommendation:
"I wish to recommend very strongly the immediate award of the D.C.M. to Sergeant Chef Michel THORAVAL of the French North African Forces.
THORAVAL first worked for my organisation in France from June 1941 until April 1942. The group with which he was connected collapsed at the beginning of 1942, but THORAVAL continued at great personal risk to help members of the group and to endeavor to re-establish contact with the U.K.
In April 1942 he escaped into Spain, acting as guide to a party of four Air Force pilots. During the journey and their subsequent imprisonment in Spain he gave the greatest possible help to the party.
After training in the U.K. he was parachuted into France in January 1943 on a mission for the IIeme Bureau of General Giraud's forces. He rapidly established W/T communication with the U.K. and organised an operation in the middle of February by which a senior officer of the French IIeme Bureau was brought out with much valuable information.
THORAVAL was again parachuted into France in the middle of April 1943. Within a very few days he organised two successful operations by which a great mass of valuable information was received.
Finally he personally organised the operation by which General Georges and his party were taken to North Africa. Owing to technical difficulties this operation was delayed for six nights, as a result of which the party would undoubtedly have dispersed and the operation failed had it not been for THORAVAL's outstanding determination and leadership. This operation also resulted in the receipt of many valuable information.
On these successive missions Sergeant Chef THORAVAL has shown the highest initiative, courage and determination, and has consistently achieved very valuable results.
General Giraud has agreed to the submission of this recommendation."
Major General F.H.N. Davidson C.B., D.S.O., M.C.

Award presented by 'C' In London on 30 September 1943.