Note from Souètre

[Steve Thomas]

Over the late evening hours of February 18 and the early morning hours of February 19, 1962, Captain, Jean-Rene Souètre led an escape from the prison camp of

Saint-Maurice l’Ardoise in the Gard Department of France. Eighteen men escaped the prison camp. Ten were immediately captured, and eight evaded capture and escaped. Jean-Rene was one of the eight.

After his escape, Souètre wrote the following note to the camp commandant:

"“Monsieur. Respectueux des décisions de justice qui ont fait de nous des hommes libres, nous avons jugé de notre devoir de nous soustraire à une mesure incompatible avec notre état d’officier. Nous aurions été indignes de notre uniforme en acceptant de remplacer dans votre camp ceux que la France nous avait donnés pour mission de combattre. Respectueux de nos serments, fidèles aux traditions de notre Arme, convaincus de la justice de notre cause, nous ne pouvions demeurer plus longtemps dans une expectative coupable. Nous sommes persuadés Monsieur qu’il vous est facile de comprendre. Nous en appelons à votre dignité en vous demandant de vous refuser à remplir à l’avenir des fonctions qui déshonorent le Corps de la Police française. Mura et Souètre.”

“Respectful of the judicial decisions which made us free men, we felt it our duty to avoid a measure incompatible with our position as officers. We would have been unworthy of our uniform by agreeing to replace in your camp those whom France had given us to fight. Respectful of our oaths, faithful to the traditions of our Arms, convinced of the justice of our cause, we could not remain longer in a guilty expectancy. We are convinced Monsieur, that it is easy for you to understand. We appeal to your dignity by asking you to refuse to fulfill in the future, functions that dishonor the French Police Corps. Mura and Souètre."

(This would be Captain, Raymond Mura).

The warden, Achille Perrodo, had only been on the job since January 4th.

 

Steve Thomas