Canada at War: THE SERVICES: Mute Survivors

Nine young French Canadians came home last week, modestly bearing two medals apiece: the Croix de guerre and a “resistance cross.” These boys had seen action in Europe long before most of their countrymen.

They had parachuted into France months before D-day to lead resistance groups, sabotage German communications, war plants, defenses, and generally help to prepare the way for the Allied invaders. One of them, 22-year-old Major Pierre Chasse of Quebec City, captured more than 6,000 Germans. Another, Captain Guy d’Artois of Montreal, was followed into France by his wife, who was sent into the country on a separate mission. They were reunited in Paris.

The two returned soldiers had little to say. Strict secrecy was still their rule. But two facts about them and their comrades were known: all the French Canadians who had gone to France before D-day had volunteered; besides the nine who returned, only six others were known to be alive, out of nearly 70 who had dropped into France.