Yolande als marconiste in Frankrijk.
In de Personal File van Yolande Beekman is het een en ander te vinden over haar missie in Frankrijk. Uiteindelijk werd zij uitgepeild en gearresteerd. Haar missie begon eigenlijk al niet goed, eat is te lezen in een document waarbij zij wordt voorgedragen voor als Member in the Order of the British Empire:
This officer was sent to France by Lysander in September 1943 as WT-Operator to a circuit (netwerk) in LILLE and SAINT QUENTIN area. She was landed in the TOURS area the reception committee were unable to help her to reach her area, she was obliged to make a dangerous journey alone, via PARIS to LILLE, carrying her W'T equipment.
Het verder verloop van haar missie is te lezen in een getuigenrapport van Mevr. Cobeaux, zij werkt in een apotheek in St.Quentin waar Yolande een seinpost heeft ingericht. Ondanks diverse waarschuwingen dat de Duitsers haar op het spoor zijn blijft zij enige malen per week contact met Engeland maken:
Interrogation of Mlle Cobeaux on Yolande Unternahrer @ Yvonne. 18 April 1945
Mlle. COBEAUX called to give information about YVONNE and the TELL circuit (See SS/353 of 3-4-1945)
Source works in a pharmacy at St. Quentin which is owned by M. CORTELL. Working with her is a M. Camille BOURY.
Source was not quite certain about the date of Yvonne's arrival at St. Quentin. She had previously stated that it was in June 1943, but on being questioned, said that it must have been end of August or beginning of September. She finally agreed that it was the end of September. On arrival YVONNE first lived with Mlle. Levevre, Avenue de la Republique, St. Quentin (near the Cafe Moulin Brule). The latter was, however, unable to keep her there and YVONNE moved about 4th October 1943 to the house of M. BOURY.
According to source, YVONNE worked with one GUY (SOE agent Gustave Biéler), whom she described as a Canadian from Montreal and also another Lieutenant (SOE agent Paul Tessier, alias THEODORE) thought to be English whose name she did not know.
From 4th October until the end of December, YVONNE transmitted from the attic in source's house. This was on the second floor and source is sure nothing could have been heard outside. As far as source knew, YVONNE had no 'equipe de protection'. Source said that often what they thought were DF-ing cars were seen near and one day between Christmas and the New Year a D/F car passed the house. They therefore decided that YVONNE should move and she then transmitted from M. Boury's house. Source thought she used used to transmit about three times a week.
On the 12th January, source later heard from M. BOURY a man was seen in the street with what looked like earphones on his head and his collar turned up. On the 13th January 1944 YVONNE and GUY and the other agent were arrested and taken to the prison at St. Quentin.
On the Monday or Tuesday after the arrest (i.e. 17th or 18th January 1944) YVONNE was brought by four Gestapo to the Pharmacy. Source stated that her face was very swollen and she had obviously been very badly treated. The Gestapo spoke to M. CORTELL the proprieter and said "they wanted the money". This evidently referred to the money belonging to the group which was hidden in various places, but CONTRELL denied any knowledge.
Source tried to get food, etc to YVONNE in the prison but was told it was impossible as she was in the 'subterrain cells' prseumably this means 'au secret'. According to what source latter learnt from the police, YVONNE left with two Gestapo's about the end of February or beginning March for the Fort de Romainville (Ten oosten van Parijs).
Aplan to effect YVONNE's escape from St. Quentin prison was being made but it could not be put into effect in time before she was removed. Source thinks perhaps the Germans had got to know about the plan through denouners.
On the 14th January, the Gestapo came to arrest BOURY but he was away in Paris and his wife was able to get a message through to him to keep away. Source stated that BOURY did not return to St. Quentin until September 1944.
On about the 18th January, more than a dozen people were arrested in the group, consisting of local resistance members who had acted as boite aux letters, etc. Source does not recall at the moment the names of these people but will send in a report later.
Source thinks that those arrested, together with GUY and the other agent working with YVONNE, were sent to Germany.
Source then described incidents that occured after the arrests.
The Gestapo went to a house that had been used as a boite aux lettres and gave the password "Les suon the pommes de terre de M. RONDEAU" Source did not know what was the result of this visit.
Then two persons in the group were denounced in an anonynous letter to the Gestapo, which however was intercepted by an employee of the postoffice and did not reach the Gestapo.
At BOURY's house a frequent visitor was one Pierrette VALLES, an old girlfriend of BOURY. She was never arrested and manged to keep in touch with BOURY after he had taken to the Maquis. VALLES was not supposed to know anything about the group's activities but as she was always at the house, it was obvious she really did, and she got to know about some money of YVONNE's which was hidden at a village some 5 kms from St. Quentin until September 1944. Source regards this as suspicious.
Another constant visitor at the house was a member of the Police, thought by source to be called SEBS? who had come from the ..... According to source the police at St. Quentin contained many members who were helping the Germans.
The doubt expressed by source in the letter she had written to H.M. the Queen really only amounted to the fact that she thought .... may have been denounced by the same person who wrote the anonynous letter mentioned above, or by someone also in the region.
Source stated that she thought that YVONNE occasionally used to go to Paris, but whether alone or not she does not know. YVONNE once mentioned a visit to Lille. YVONNE's meetings with GUY were sometimes at BOURY's house, where on occasion an aviator was sheltered.
Source had heard parachtages discussed by the group and thinks that there were parachutages in the district after the arrests, but is not very clear as to whether arms were received or agents.
Source stated that Mme. PONTHIEU was one of the chief helpers in the group - liaison work, etc - and she often sheltered airmen. Mme. PONTHIEU was mentioned in the letter of denounciation which was sent about 15 days after the arrests and she was accused of helping the English. She was never arrested.
M. BOURY occasionally comes to Paris and source said she would ask him to call here on his next visit.
SS/411 16 April, 1945
To: Captain Fraser-Campbell From: Major Delaforce
Yolande UNTERNAHRER @ YVONNE
Ref. F.REC/FR/841 of the 27th March from Flt/O Atkins to Lt. Col. warden, a copy of which was sent to you from London, I have interrogated Mademoiselle GOBEAUX on the arrests in the TELL circuit, and enclose my report on what she said.
The case seems to be of no security interest, and it looks as though YVONNE was arrested through D/F-ing.
If M. Camille BOURY announces his visit, I will let you know. I will also pass on to you, if Mademoiselle COBEAUX sends it, the list of members of the group.
P/RH/B/917 6 November 1945
To: Ft/O V.M. Atkins From Major Hazeldine
YVONNE UNTERNAHRER
I recently received a visit from Mademoiselle Genevieve Gundelwein. Mademoiselle Genevieve Gundelwein is the grand-daughter of Mme. Ponthieu, 8 Rue Philippe de Girard, St. Quentin (Aiene) who was the safehouse where Yvonne, Bieler and Marius all lodged for a considerable time
Genevieve Gundelwein worked with her grandmother although she was very young at the time and helped in the latter's other activities which included hiding RAF and USAAF personnel as she was on one of the official escape routes. Genevieve Gundelwein has not added much to what we know already about this circuit but has confirmed that in October 1943, Yvonne, known as MARIETTE, was brought to Mme. Ponthieu by Bieler, and also introduced to BOURY.
From October to December 1943, Yvonne often transmitted from either Mlle. COBAU or M. BOURY or Mme. PONTHIEU's and from January to April 1944 worked from the Moulin Brule. On April 19th 1944, Mademoiselle Gobau was denounced and on 27th all the circuit was arrested with the exception of Mme. PONTHIEU, Genevieve Gundelwein and on or two other members.
Mademoiselle Gundelwein has a letter of denounciation which was intercepted by BOURY who worked at the local Post Office and who intercepted all denounciation letters which he coulds lay hands on addressed to the Kommandantur.
It would appear that Mme. Jeanne Marie PONTHIEU has done a considerable amount of work for our people as she kept open house for the circuit notwithstanding her advanced age and she seems to have kept clear of any trouble with the Gestapo.
I should like to suggest that this lady be put up for some form of recognition (not financial) and should be glad to hear your decision.
De onderstaande brief werd door H.O. Fry naar echtgenoot Jaap Beekman gestuurd op 5 juli 1946:
P.434609/P.4.A.1. 5 July, 1946
Sir,
I am commanded by the Air Council to refer to your visit to the Air Ministry on 27th May, and to previous correspondence, and to say that definite information regarding the fate of your wife, Section Officer Yolande Elsa Maria Unternahrer, Women's Auxillery Air Force, has now become available.
In the course of investigation into war crimes it was revealed that your wige was shot by the Germans in the early hours of 13th September, 1944 in Dachau concentration camp. Full details of the circumstances, and information regarding the place of her burial, have not yet been received in the Air Ministry. The Air Council desire me to convey to you their profound sympathy in your bereavement.
They also desire me to enclose an amended certified notification of your wife's death.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd) H.O. FRY
J. Beekman, Esq.
Celebesstraat 3
Zwolle
Holland
Op een zogenaamde Kardex kaarten van SOE is het volgende over Yolande te lezen:
UNTERNAHRER, Yolande Elsa Marie ST. QUENTIN
@ BEEKMAN (Married name)
@ CHAUVIGNY, Yvonne Marie Yolande
@ YVONNE/PALMIST/KILT
Left for the field: 17-9-1943
Arrested about February, 1944 while operating at the Moulin Brulé
on the canal just outside ST. QUENTIN.
27-6-1944 From PONCHO: TESSIER reports YVONNE is in prison.
17-10-1944 Captured German document staes YVONNE was arrested
15-1-1944 in ST. QUENTIN. Gives her married name and Unternahrer.
Tessier: Sav > ???? at Ave. Foch, Jan. 44.
Killed 13 Sept. 1944 Dachau
UNTERNAHRER Y. FRANCE
@ YVONNE @ PALMIST @ KILT
W/O to TELL.
11-9-1944 I.F. 301 details on arrest in Feb 44.
14-10-1944 I.F. 305 mentioned in report
6-9-1944 F.SEC. file 60 arrested Feb 44 same time as TELL
Swiss, born in Paris on 28-10-1911.
Married
Description
height: 1m 65, fair hair,
blue grey eyes, fresh complexion.
Section Officer W.A.A.F. 9902
Mother: Mrs B. Unternahrer,
6 Lissenden Mansion
Highgate Road, N.W.5
Husband: Sgt. J. Beekman
S.W. District Office,
Howick Place
Post Box 150, N.W.1
Both seen by Captain Betts 16-8-1944.
UNTERNAHRER Yolande ST. QUENTIN
YVONNE/PALMIST/KILT/Yvonne TELL/MUSICIAN/Bieler circuit
Left for Field 17-9-1944
Arrests 15 January 1944 (Boury)
Presume arrested about Feb. 1944
27-6-1944 Reported in prison 3 bis Pl. des Etats Unie, Paris
19-4-1945 Ver... by M. Boury 54 Rue BAUDELAIRE, St. Quentin (Aisno)
with whom she lodged from Sept. 43 until her arrest 11-1-1944
would like news of her as soon as possible.
UNTERNAHRER, Yvonne
MOVEMENTS
Seen by Cmdt. Armand PHILIP in FRESNES in April/May 1944.
Seen by Bob STARR in Avenue FOCH in approx. March 1944.
Odette SANSOM was in Karlruhe from 12th May to 25th July 1944
She travelled in convoy with Yvonne UNTERNAHRER.
Yvonne moved off about 25th July to an unknown destination.
This officer was sent to France by Lysander in September 1943 as WT-Operator to a circuit (netwerk) in LILLE and SAINT QUENTIN area. She was landed in the TOURS area the reception committee were unable to help her to reach her area, she was obliged to make a dangerous journey alone, via PARIS to LILLE, carrying her W'T equipment.
Het verder verloop van haar missie is te lezen in een getuigenrapport van Mevr. Cobeaux, zij werkt in een apotheek in St.Quentin waar Yolande een seinpost heeft ingericht. Ondanks diverse waarschuwingen dat de Duitsers haar op het spoor zijn blijft zij enige malen per week contact met Engeland maken:
Interrogation of Mlle Cobeaux on Yolande Unternahrer @ Yvonne. 18 April 1945
Mlle. COBEAUX called to give information about YVONNE and the TELL circuit (See SS/353 of 3-4-1945)
Source works in a pharmacy at St. Quentin which is owned by M. CORTELL. Working with her is a M. Camille BOURY.
Source was not quite certain about the date of Yvonne's arrival at St. Quentin. She had previously stated that it was in June 1943, but on being questioned, said that it must have been end of August or beginning of September. She finally agreed that it was the end of September. On arrival YVONNE first lived with Mlle. Levevre, Avenue de la Republique, St. Quentin (near the Cafe Moulin Brule). The latter was, however, unable to keep her there and YVONNE moved about 4th October 1943 to the house of M. BOURY.
According to source, YVONNE worked with one GUY (SOE agent Gustave Biéler), whom she described as a Canadian from Montreal and also another Lieutenant (SOE agent Paul Tessier, alias THEODORE) thought to be English whose name she did not know.
From 4th October until the end of December, YVONNE transmitted from the attic in source's house. This was on the second floor and source is sure nothing could have been heard outside. As far as source knew, YVONNE had no 'equipe de protection'. Source said that often what they thought were DF-ing cars were seen near and one day between Christmas and the New Year a D/F car passed the house. They therefore decided that YVONNE should move and she then transmitted from M. Boury's house. Source thought she used used to transmit about three times a week.
On the 12th January, source later heard from M. BOURY a man was seen in the street with what looked like earphones on his head and his collar turned up. On the 13th January 1944 YVONNE and GUY and the other agent were arrested and taken to the prison at St. Quentin.
On the Monday or Tuesday after the arrest (i.e. 17th or 18th January 1944) YVONNE was brought by four Gestapo to the Pharmacy. Source stated that her face was very swollen and she had obviously been very badly treated. The Gestapo spoke to M. CORTELL the proprieter and said "they wanted the money". This evidently referred to the money belonging to the group which was hidden in various places, but CONTRELL denied any knowledge.
Source tried to get food, etc to YVONNE in the prison but was told it was impossible as she was in the 'subterrain cells' prseumably this means 'au secret'. According to what source latter learnt from the police, YVONNE left with two Gestapo's about the end of February or beginning March for the Fort de Romainville (Ten oosten van Parijs).
Aplan to effect YVONNE's escape from St. Quentin prison was being made but it could not be put into effect in time before she was removed. Source thinks perhaps the Germans had got to know about the plan through denouners.
On the 14th January, the Gestapo came to arrest BOURY but he was away in Paris and his wife was able to get a message through to him to keep away. Source stated that BOURY did not return to St. Quentin until September 1944.
On about the 18th January, more than a dozen people were arrested in the group, consisting of local resistance members who had acted as boite aux letters, etc. Source does not recall at the moment the names of these people but will send in a report later.
Source thinks that those arrested, together with GUY and the other agent working with YVONNE, were sent to Germany.
Source then described incidents that occured after the arrests.
The Gestapo went to a house that had been used as a boite aux lettres and gave the password "Les suon the pommes de terre de M. RONDEAU" Source did not know what was the result of this visit.
Then two persons in the group were denounced in an anonynous letter to the Gestapo, which however was intercepted by an employee of the postoffice and did not reach the Gestapo.
At BOURY's house a frequent visitor was one Pierrette VALLES, an old girlfriend of BOURY. She was never arrested and manged to keep in touch with BOURY after he had taken to the Maquis. VALLES was not supposed to know anything about the group's activities but as she was always at the house, it was obvious she really did, and she got to know about some money of YVONNE's which was hidden at a village some 5 kms from St. Quentin until September 1944. Source regards this as suspicious.
Another constant visitor at the house was a member of the Police, thought by source to be called SEBS? who had come from the ..... According to source the police at St. Quentin contained many members who were helping the Germans.
The doubt expressed by source in the letter she had written to H.M. the Queen really only amounted to the fact that she thought .... may have been denounced by the same person who wrote the anonynous letter mentioned above, or by someone also in the region.
Source stated that she thought that YVONNE occasionally used to go to Paris, but whether alone or not she does not know. YVONNE once mentioned a visit to Lille. YVONNE's meetings with GUY were sometimes at BOURY's house, where on occasion an aviator was sheltered.
Source had heard parachtages discussed by the group and thinks that there were parachutages in the district after the arrests, but is not very clear as to whether arms were received or agents.
Source stated that Mme. PONTHIEU was one of the chief helpers in the group - liaison work, etc - and she often sheltered airmen. Mme. PONTHIEU was mentioned in the letter of denounciation which was sent about 15 days after the arrests and she was accused of helping the English. She was never arrested.
M. BOURY occasionally comes to Paris and source said she would ask him to call here on his next visit.
SS/411 16 April, 1945
To: Captain Fraser-Campbell From: Major Delaforce
Yolande UNTERNAHRER @ YVONNE
Ref. F.REC/FR/841 of the 27th March from Flt/O Atkins to Lt. Col. warden, a copy of which was sent to you from London, I have interrogated Mademoiselle GOBEAUX on the arrests in the TELL circuit, and enclose my report on what she said.
The case seems to be of no security interest, and it looks as though YVONNE was arrested through D/F-ing.
If M. Camille BOURY announces his visit, I will let you know. I will also pass on to you, if Mademoiselle COBEAUX sends it, the list of members of the group.
P/RH/B/917 6 November 1945
To: Ft/O V.M. Atkins From Major Hazeldine
YVONNE UNTERNAHRER
I recently received a visit from Mademoiselle Genevieve Gundelwein. Mademoiselle Genevieve Gundelwein is the grand-daughter of Mme. Ponthieu, 8 Rue Philippe de Girard, St. Quentin (Aiene) who was the safehouse where Yvonne, Bieler and Marius all lodged for a considerable time
Genevieve Gundelwein worked with her grandmother although she was very young at the time and helped in the latter's other activities which included hiding RAF and USAAF personnel as she was on one of the official escape routes. Genevieve Gundelwein has not added much to what we know already about this circuit but has confirmed that in October 1943, Yvonne, known as MARIETTE, was brought to Mme. Ponthieu by Bieler, and also introduced to BOURY.
From October to December 1943, Yvonne often transmitted from either Mlle. COBAU or M. BOURY or Mme. PONTHIEU's and from January to April 1944 worked from the Moulin Brule. On April 19th 1944, Mademoiselle Gobau was denounced and on 27th all the circuit was arrested with the exception of Mme. PONTHIEU, Genevieve Gundelwein and on or two other members.
Mademoiselle Gundelwein has a letter of denounciation which was intercepted by BOURY who worked at the local Post Office and who intercepted all denounciation letters which he coulds lay hands on addressed to the Kommandantur.
It would appear that Mme. Jeanne Marie PONTHIEU has done a considerable amount of work for our people as she kept open house for the circuit notwithstanding her advanced age and she seems to have kept clear of any trouble with the Gestapo.
I should like to suggest that this lady be put up for some form of recognition (not financial) and should be glad to hear your decision.
De onderstaande brief werd door H.O. Fry naar echtgenoot Jaap Beekman gestuurd op 5 juli 1946:
P.434609/P.4.A.1. 5 July, 1946
Sir,
I am commanded by the Air Council to refer to your visit to the Air Ministry on 27th May, and to previous correspondence, and to say that definite information regarding the fate of your wife, Section Officer Yolande Elsa Maria Unternahrer, Women's Auxillery Air Force, has now become available.
In the course of investigation into war crimes it was revealed that your wige was shot by the Germans in the early hours of 13th September, 1944 in Dachau concentration camp. Full details of the circumstances, and information regarding the place of her burial, have not yet been received in the Air Ministry. The Air Council desire me to convey to you their profound sympathy in your bereavement.
They also desire me to enclose an amended certified notification of your wife's death.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd) H.O. FRY
J. Beekman, Esq.
Celebesstraat 3
Zwolle
Holland
Op een zogenaamde Kardex kaarten van SOE is het volgende over Yolande te lezen:
UNTERNAHRER, Yolande Elsa Marie ST. QUENTIN
@ BEEKMAN (Married name)
@ CHAUVIGNY, Yvonne Marie Yolande
@ YVONNE/PALMIST/KILT
Left for the field: 17-9-1943
Arrested about February, 1944 while operating at the Moulin Brulé
on the canal just outside ST. QUENTIN.
27-6-1944 From PONCHO: TESSIER reports YVONNE is in prison.
17-10-1944 Captured German document staes YVONNE was arrested
15-1-1944 in ST. QUENTIN. Gives her married name and Unternahrer.
Tessier: Sav > ???? at Ave. Foch, Jan. 44.
Killed 13 Sept. 1944 Dachau
UNTERNAHRER Y. FRANCE
@ YVONNE @ PALMIST @ KILT
W/O to TELL.
11-9-1944 I.F. 301 details on arrest in Feb 44.
14-10-1944 I.F. 305 mentioned in report
6-9-1944 F.SEC. file 60 arrested Feb 44 same time as TELL
Swiss, born in Paris on 28-10-1911.
Married
Description
height: 1m 65, fair hair,
blue grey eyes, fresh complexion.
Section Officer W.A.A.F. 9902
Mother: Mrs B. Unternahrer,
6 Lissenden Mansion
Highgate Road, N.W.5
Husband: Sgt. J. Beekman
S.W. District Office,
Howick Place
Post Box 150, N.W.1
Both seen by Captain Betts 16-8-1944.
UNTERNAHRER Yolande ST. QUENTIN
YVONNE/PALMIST/KILT/Yvonne TELL/MUSICIAN/Bieler circuit
Left for Field 17-9-1944
Arrests 15 January 1944 (Boury)
Presume arrested about Feb. 1944
27-6-1944 Reported in prison 3 bis Pl. des Etats Unie, Paris
19-4-1945 Ver... by M. Boury 54 Rue BAUDELAIRE, St. Quentin (Aisno)
with whom she lodged from Sept. 43 until her arrest 11-1-1944
would like news of her as soon as possible.
UNTERNAHRER, Yvonne
MOVEMENTS
Seen by Cmdt. Armand PHILIP in FRESNES in April/May 1944.
Seen by Bob STARR in Avenue FOCH in approx. March 1944.
Odette SANSOM was in Karlruhe from 12th May to 25th July 1944
She travelled in convoy with Yvonne UNTERNAHRER.
Yvonne moved off about 25th July to an unknown destination.
w.mugge@home.nl
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