Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Compagnon

Awarded on:

September 12th, 1945

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

5 citations

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

with rosette

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant-Colonel

Recommendation:
"Lt.Col Ernest PRUVOST worked for Resistance as the head of the Etat Major of the Post Office and Telegraph Services. His mission was threefold:-

a) To detect any employee collaborating with the Germans.

b) To help the various Resistance groups in every way possible with his extensive technical knowledge.

c) To prepare the sabotage of all telecommunications on arrival of the Allied armies.

In addition to the above Lt.Col. Pruvost on many occasions organised the transport and departure of courier and W/T apparatus for communication with London in his Post Office vans and he also conveyed personally large quantities of arms, ammunition and W/T apparatus. He was present in person at several landing and dropping operations, and installed ?/T *** not only for the C.N.D. ((Confrérie Notre-Dame red.) but also for the other circuits. He sheltered many American airmen and organised their escape to the U.K. He also produced a quantity of false papers.

L.Col. Provost was actively sought by the Gestapo in November 1943, and hid himself at Villebaudin en Manch, but continued to prepare the third part of his mission. He also formed seven centres of Resistance in the Villebaudin area for which he obtained parachute operations.

On D-Day the civil and military network of the German telecommunications system was completely disorganized in many parts of France, in accordance with the plan set up by Lt.Col. Pruvost. He himself cut the telephone cable between St. Lo, Avranches and Rennes.

After D-Day with sixteen comrades from St. Lo de Villebaudin and Villedieu les Poeles he installed himself with a small maquis he had formed previously at the "Villa Francoise". This party commanded by Lt.Col. Pruvost sabotaged the roads in the district and carried out guerilla warfare.

They were attacked by the S.S. troops on the 14th June. Lt. Col. Pruvost with five comrades escaped, but the other eleven were taken prisoner and shot.

On the 2nd august, the Americans arrived at Fercy where Lt.Col. Pruvost had taken refuge. Pruvost put himself at the head of raiding party composed of 3 F.F.I. and 2 American soldiers and took six German prisoners. From the 2nd to the 8th August he stayed with an American Special Force detachment and gave them every possible aid.

Finally Lt.Col. Pruvost recruited in Valonges, Cherbough, Coutances and St. Dennis a number of radio operators who had taken to the Maquis and formed them into a parachute battalion to work behind the German lines.

It is recommended that in recognition of his extremely valuable contribution to the liberating armies, this courageous officer be appointed a Companion in the Distinguished Service Order."

Signed
Colin Gubbins
Major-General
24.3.45

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)