Cros, Irénée

Date of birth:: December 15th, 1887 (Courniou, France)
Date of death:: December 14th, 1943 (Foix, France)
Nationality:: French

Biography

Mobilized in August 1914, it is incorporated into the 2nd engineering regiment and then on the 24th of colonial infantry, then reallocated to the 2nd engineer.

In August 1915 he entered the service of powder groves and is sent to Bergerac as a construction manager for the construction of the national powderrie de this city. His technical knowledge soon recognized by his chiefs, are worth a rapid advancement. It is responsible for important work: construction of buildings and driving facilities used in the manufacture of explosives. At its demobilization in July 1919, it gets the degree of powder engineer (lieutenant).

The second mobilization of August 1939, calls it again to the national powderroy of Bergerac where it deals with the restarting of this abandoned plant since 1919.

Sent to Montauban, then to Muret, it is assigned in 1940 to the construction of a new factory projected in Faca. This is where the tragic events of June 1940 put an end to its military role, then begins its action in the resistance.

Alone, without support, without connection, Irenée Cros group gradually around him a core of faithful friends and becomes the head of the resistance in the department of Ariège.

Member of the Combat movement, it is appointed, under the name of Calmette, departmental leader of the united movements of resistance (wall) in Ariège, from their creation in January 1943. Secret army, information service, social relief, maquis, parachutages, service Faux papers, passages in Spain, Department's political organization, Coordinating Committee, it multiplies clandestine activities.

Irenénée CROS, which houses at home constantly people sought by the Gestapo or allied officers on secret mission, is monitored by the Germans.

Victim of a denunciation, on the night of 13 to 14 December 1943, one strikes at his door and pushed it. Knowing what awaits it, it does not flee and burns all the documents that can compromise the movement. When the men of the Gestapo reach him, the last paper completes to consume. He is shot on the spot, in his house of Foix, a bullet in the neck.

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