GEORGES A. MARCQ
Shortly before Danhaive’s departure, on Saturday, 13 May, Tobias Biallosterski, alias Jan, arrived at the address where Danhaive was staying. On Tuesday, 16 May, Germaine took both men to the Gare d’Austerlitz and introduced them to the guide who would accompany them to Toulouse. The guide had with him another man who also wished to escape to Spain: the Belgian Georges Marcq. At 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 17 May, the party arrived at Toulouse station. Danhaive had already received in Paris a false identity card in the name of Denizot, as well as a travel document from Germaine.
"Le 13 mai 1944, est rejoint par un Hollandais J. DAUBRY (Biallosterski). Le 16 Mai quittent ensemble Paris, avec un guide et un plus GEORGE 'Le Commandant', pour Toulouse avec carte d'indentité françaiseet certificat de travail." (Danhaive)
Upon arriving in the city, the three travelling companions were lodged in a modest apartment above a bicycle shop. On Thursday, 18 May, Danhaive and Biallosterski were taken by a member of the Resistance to another safe house at 9 Rue du Mas St. Augustin in Toulouse. Georges Marcq remained behind alone in the apartment above the bicycle shop.
"Ils sont conduits chez un marchand de vélo. Le Chef local de la ligne qui se faisait appeler Q ou Monsieur EDOUARD vient chercher Danhaive et le Hollandais laissant la George 'Le Commandant'. Il arrive à un autre gite et repartent le 22 mai 1944 pour Perpignant." (Danhaive)
Both men stayed there until Monday, May 22nd 1944. On that day, they departed for Perpignan. There, they stayed with friends of their guide and the following day continued on to a village located only 7 km from the Franco-Spanish border. They remained there until Sunday, May 26th.
"Quittent Perpignant le 26 mai et rentrent suite à un accident survenu a George 'Le Commandant', leur dit-on à Toulouse chez Monsieur CABRIT, Rue de Rossignol 6." (Danhaive)
During this stay, they learned that Marcq, together with agent RONALD, two airmen, and two guides, had been arrested after leaving Perpignan. As a result, Danhaive and Biallosterski were forced to return to Toulouse, where they arrived again on Saturday, May 26th, or Sunday, May 27th. Their guide lodged them in the safe house of M. Cabrit, 6 Rue Rossignol, Toulouse. They remained there until Sunday, June 11th 1944.
On Monday, July 3rd 1944, Danhaive wrote a secret report in Madrid:
Transcription.
RAPPORT SECRET No 300 of rapport No D75.
"A partir de l'hiver 41, 42 DANHAIVE cherche à rejoindre l'UK et dans ce but cherche des contacts. A partir de ce moment s'occuppé d'oeuvres patriotique et entre un rapport avec HENRI FREDERICQ qui se serai occupé d'une service en France. Ne trouve aucune ligne. Henri Fredericq partir de Juin 1943, tout en continuant ses études apporte sa collaboration à HENRI NEUMAN (CAESAR) 28 ans, docteur en droit à l'ULB. En Juin il fournit à Henri Neuman qui était recherche un gite chez les parent Danhaive en Basecles. Vers la fin de Juillet, sert d'intermédiare pour la compte de Henri Neuman afin de mettre en contact un groupe de résistance de Basecles (anciennement du Front Independance) avec le Groupe "G" de sabotage dont le Chef JEAN BURGERS aurait été arrêté vers Avril 1944 et dont Henri Neuman était Chef adjoint. Plus tard Danhaive met Groupe "G" de sabotage avec une carrière (région d' Ecausines) pour la fourniture de poudre noir. Fin Octobre 1943, s'occupe de réception d'armes par parachutage (opération finalement décommandée) et réalisée plus tard à Leuze (dorp ten noorden van Namen). Groupe "G" étant parti pour L' Angleterre, Danhaive ne le revoit que en février 1944, et en mars Groupe "G" lui fait demander s'il serait d'accord de partir en UK et subit un entrainement pour se faire parachute ensuite. Au debut d'avril Danhaive marque son accord, et reçoit instruction d'attendre. Prévenu le 23 avril 1944 par la femme dún agent de Henri Neuman que un certain JACQUES GUYOT qui devait partir comme recrue pour le service de renseignement le lendemain n'a pu être touché et qu'il peut partir à sa place. Il quitte Basecles le 24 avril 1944 et est à Bruxelles le 25 avril, avec le guide LUCIEN va jusque Paris via Mouscron, ou il arrive le 26 avril dans l'après midi (avec comme papiers un Reisbescheinigung fait à son nom, profession employé à Telefunken. Loge à Hotel de la Civette justqu'au 30 Avril, est conduit chez Madame DELORME à Rue Ernest Cresson 4, Paris 18e ou il reste 17 jours.
Le 13 mai 1944, est rejoint par un Hollandais J. DAUBRY (Biallosterski). Le 16 Mai quittent ensemble Paris, avec un guide et un plus GEORGE 'Le Commandant', pour Toulouse avec carte d'indentité françaiseet certificat de travail. Ils sont conduits chez un marchand de vélo. Le Chef local de la ligne qui se faisait appeler Q ou Monsieur EDOUARD vient chercher Danhaive et le Hollandais laissant la George 'Le Commandant'. Ils arrive à un autre gite et repartent le 22 mai 1944 pour Perpignant. Quittent Perpignant le 26 mai et rentrent suite à un accident survenu a George 'Le Commandant', leur dit-on à Toulouse chez Monsieur CABRIT, Rue de Rossignol 6. Repartent le 11 Juin de Toulouse rencontrent un Américan (Norman Pero) qui suit jusqu'a Montrejeau (cabane de bucherons, houthakkers) le 12 Avril 1944 rejoint par un Américan (Richard Elliot) et deux Belges, DRAPIER et SOUDAN. Dès lors le voyage est identique à la relation No. D76."
Jean Drapier’s report is structured somewhat differently, as he travelled together with Soudan using different guides via Paris to Spain. His report was also prepared in Madrid on July 3rd; Drapier is designated D76. D76 is also mentioned in Danhaive’s report, who carries the number D75 with serial number 300.
Transcription.
RAPPORT SECRET (Ref. Déclar. No.76) No. 301)
"Jean DRAPIER rencontre le 24-1-1944, LOPPENS, Conseiller à la Court d'Appel qui lui signale que son nom figure sur une liste nominative de personnes demandées par le Gouvernement . Ayant marqué son accord, il se voit attribuer comme indicatif le nom de CAROLUS, puis ne reçoit plus signe de vie jusque vers le 20-5-1944, date à laquelle Loppens, lui confirme que l'on s'occupe du départ.
Le 5-5-1944 il est averti que le départ est fixé au 7-5-1944. Le 7 mai, est ..ris par Loppens en contact avec le guide THEO (Theo Janssen) et avec René SOUDAN. Ils partent pour Paris munis d'une fausse carte d'identité belge à leur propre nom et d'un passeport pour Paris. Arrivés à Paris vont loger dans un garage à Rue Caulyn Courentant 44 (Garage Coupel, Caulincourt 44, Parijs). Repartent le 8-5-1944 avec carte d'identité française (Nom de CHARDON). Sont conduits chez un boucher à RRE (??) ou ils séjournent dix jours. Dans ce gite rencontre Georges MARCQ qui depart seul le 16-5-1944. Eux même quittent le gite le 19-5-1944 pour Toulouse ou ils arrivent 20-5-1944 (pas de contrôle en chemin de fer). Sont hébergés chez un facteur des Postes jusqu'au 23-5-1944, dat à laquelle ils partent pour Carcassonne. N'ayant pas trouvé le guide (in Carcassonne) ils rentrent au gite (in Toulouse).
Depart le 24-5-1944, avec guide Espagnol pour Perpignan en chemin de fer jusque Quillan puis en autobus. Sont Hérbergé chez un Espagnol. Suite a un accident qui s'est produit la veille (Arrestation de deux Belges dont Georges MARCQ et un agent parachuté blessé (Ronald)), ils sont reconduite au gite de Toulouse ou était arrivé entretemps Josine MARDULYN (aka BETTY, or GENEVIEVE), dont le fréres est incarcéré à Saint Gilles depuis la fermeture de l'ULB.
Josine Mardulyn part le 27-5-1944 avec un compatriote magistrat, et il est convenu d'attendre le message radiodiffusé qui doit annoncer la bonne arrivée de ce groupe.
Le message "Chienne a eu quatre chiots" est entendu le 6-6-1944. Ils partent avec en plus un aviateur Américain (Richard Elliot) le 12 Juin pour Montrejeau. De là à pied jusque Saint Betrand-de-Comminges ou ils remis au guide passeur. Logent le 13 Juin dans une Cabane de berger ou ils rejoignent un Américain, le Belge (Danhaive) et un Hollandais (Biallosterski).
Le groupe campe le 14 Juin puis la nuit suivante en passant par un tunnel de captage arrivent à la frontière qu'ils passent le 16 Juin (probablement au Col de Venasque). Drapier étant épuisé de fatique, le groupe campe jusqu'a la nuit du 18 Juin en attendant une voiture que le guide est allé chercher.
Le 18 Juin, retrouvent la voiture que le près d'une centrale éléctrique (Route descendant à Graus). La voiture est arrêtée par la Garde Civile en amont de Graus, et amenée sous garde à Graus ou tout le groupe est arrêté.
Drapier déclare offcier aviateur Canadien né en 1905, rejoignant les Forces. Transféré a Basbastro puis Huesca le 21 Juin le groupe entre en contact avec le vice Consul de Grande Bretagne a Saragosse. Interrogé à nouveau Drapier se déclaré finalement civil Canadien.
Font une tentative de passage par Perpignant et rentrent à Toulouse qu'ils quittent finalement le 12 Juin pour l'Espagne via Montrejeau, St.Bertrand-de-Comminges. Entrent en Espagne le 16 Juin, sont arrêtés sur la route de Graus. Il se présente comme Canadien sous le nom de CHARDON. Transféré à Barbastro le 21 Juin, à Saragosse le 22 Juin et placé en résidence surveillée. Transféré à Madrid le 30 Juin 1944."
An internet website about the life of Jacques Swaters states that his sister Jacqueline was married to Georges Marcq. According to the site, Marcq left Belgium in 1943 to go to England. He was indeed arrested in southern France and reportedly spent six months in the prison of Pau. He was then transferred to the notorious Fresnes prison just outside Paris. In August 1944, he was allegedly deported to Mittelbau-Dora near Nordhausen in Germany, where he is said to have died on February 5th 1945.
If he had spent six weeks instead of six months in the prison of Pau, the story would align correctly.
Several telegrams about Georges Marcq were exchanged between England and France, showing that he was not just an ordinary person, but someone needed in London by the Belgian government. Some information about him can be found in HS6-280. On June17th 1944, the Belgian SOE section received a memo from the French SOE DF (escape) section:
Transcription.
EXFILTRATION OF BELGIAN AGENTS
"With reference to your T/BE/1717 of the 15th June, when you receive a reply to the above minute, I should be grateful if you could let us know and we will provide you with an address in France to which these bodies can be sent.
In connection with this, I would like to take this opportunity of informing you that we have received a message from the field to the effect that the Caulaincourt address is now blown, and that therefore agents should on no account go there. I am not quite clear as to how thsi address came to be known to so may of your agents, as it was specifically given to FLOOR alone, so I should be grateful if you could ask him which Circuits would be in possession of it, and let them know, so that no further bodies go to this contact.
We have also received information today that the VIC Circuit in Paris has eight fresh Belgian bodies in hand, one of these being a woman. I am unable ti identify them, and neither have we been informed as to which contact they went to, or how they came to be in hand at all. I should be grateful if you could help us."
This memo concerns the fact that Ides Floor apparently gave out the safe house in Paris, Garage Coupel, 44 Caulincourt, to anyone wishing to escape to Spain, even though this safe house was intended for him alone. Among others, Tobias Biallosterski and Georges Marcq received this address from Floor.
On 29 June 1944, the Belgian SOE section sent a report to the French SOE Escape section regarding Georges Marcq:
"Reference to our T/WT/BE/1074 (page 21) of 31-5-1944 and T/WT/BE/1244 (page 60) of 12-6-1944.
Reference conversation this morning, herewith the text of the messages we have received from the field regarding Georges Marcq."
"From VARRO via KINGSTON. No.19 23-6-44 3923/3".
POUR AGNES ET TYBALT RPT AGNES ET TYBALT SUIVANT INFORMATIONS DE FRANCE APPRENONS QUE GEORGES MARCQ RPT GEORGES MARCQ PARTI POUR UK DEUX JOURS APRES AGNES PAR MEME FILLIERE AURAIT ETE ARRETE PYRENEES RPT PYRENEES DATE INDETERMINEE STOP
PRIERE FAIRE URGENCE ENQUETE SUR MARCQ RPT MARCQ ET ME TRANSMETTRE NOUVELLES IMMEDIATEMENT STOP
EN PARLER A JUPITER PRT JUPITER STOP
IMPORTANT POUR SITUATION NOS AGENTS ICI ME DONNER RESPONSE RAPIDE STOP
SEMBLERAIT QUE AGENT ALLEMAND DJLTO LOAIC INTRODUIT FILIERE XX RPT FILIERE XX
AGNES is Ides Floor
TYBALT is André Wendelen (old agent)
JUPITER is Lt.Gen. Ganshof van der Meersch (Floor's boss)
VARRO is George Marchal
KINGSTON is Albert Jules Delvingt
"From LINING via KINGSTON. No.88 28-6-44".
EIGHTY EIGHT (88) FROM NOLA STOP
VOTRE SOIXANTE TROIS (63) STOP
MAGISTRATS FOURNIS PAR CONSEILLER ONT ETE LIVRES PAR MES SOINS A PARIS QUATRE UN (41) CAILAINCOURT LES VINGT TROIS (23) MAI ET UN (1) JUIN STOP
CONSEILLER VOUS ENVOIE LES DETAILS STOP
JE VOUS AI ENVOYE LES NOMS A CHAQUE DEPART STOP
CE CITE CAULAINCOURT EST BRULE SUITE ARRESTATION DE MARCQ RPT MARCQ DANS LES PYRENEES STOP MON SEPT (7) DU VINGT DEUX (22) STOP CHEERIO
The "Magistrats" are the 4 bodies mentioned in our T/WT/BE/1244 - I believe you have already made contact with them.
NOLA is Maurice Durieux
LINING is Wilfred Cecil Waddington
The first message indicates that Georges Marcq was arrested in the Pyrenees. The exact date of the arrest is not yet known. The identity of the mentioned German agent is unclear, and both groups could not be decoded.
The second message states that the safe house, Garage Coupel, 44 Caulincourt in Paris, is no longer usable because it has become known to the Germans. This is said to be a direct consequence of Georges Marcq’s arrest.
On October13th 1944, the SOE DF section wrote the following memo to the Belgian SOE section:
Transcription.
GEORGES MARCQ
"With reference to your T/BE/2315, I confirm that we asked the field serveral times for news of Georges Marcq, and were informed that they had no record of anuone of that name in our lines. However, I have made further enquiries in Paris, and received the following information:
A. According to the information of one of our contacts, Georges Marcq was arrested on his way across the Pyrenees and is believed to be now in a camp in WEIMAR (Germany). His contact address was "COLIN" i.e. Rue Caulaincourt, Paris 18. He was brought there by THEO (Theo Janssen).
B. The Belgian Embassy has approached his contact "FRANCE" i.e. Madame NOGAL who is carrying on her husband's business after his arrest by the Germans. They enquired after a certain Monsieur DE LANGE nephew of Monsier SPAAK, Belgian Minister. It is thought that he passed through this contact address towards the end of March or early April this year. Our contact is pretty sure that according to the description given, this body was directed through Lyon and Perpignant, and therefore should be, by now safe in London. Would you give confirmation on this supposition?
With regard to the Monsieur De LANGE mentioned in para B, I have no record of anyone of that name in my files, but ofcourse he probably came over under some pseudonym. I should be grateful if you could check up that he is in fact now in London."
Op July 15th 1944 schrijft Ides Floor writtes a memo to his chief, Majoor H. Amies of SOE section T (Belgium).
Transcription.
GEORGES MARCQ
"Reference your IMF/MB/4418 of 13th July, the situation is that there has never been any notification from France that either a George MARCQ or a George VAUDOIS was actually on one of Colonel HUMPHRIES' lines.
There has, however, been a report of one or two Belgians - names unknown - having been arrested in the South. There is every reason to believe that one of these may be Georges MARCQ. If it is so, it is to be presumed that he is in the Citadel at Perpignan from which it would not be possible to get him out.
The whole situation is not very clear and we hope to get it straightened out when Jean DRAPIER arrives in the UK."
After the liberation, on October 7th 1944, Lt. Col. Amies wrote a report on Georges Marcq for Major Murphy, detailing his role in the Resistance and his escape attempt to England via Spain.
Transcription.
"Georges MARC (or MARCQ or MARCK or MARCQ)"
"I met yesterday Mme. Marc (Marcq), who, apart from being a very charming woman, has been of inestimable service to the NELLY/HUGUETTE/LINING set up:
It appears that Georges Marc (Marcq); her husband, was also very much in the racket: Being a laywer, he is also a friend of Ganshof and having been in hiding for some time (due to the work he has done for us) he accepted the request from London (from Ganshof) to come to the UK. Matters came to a climax when Floor was out there en mission and it was arranged that Georges Marc (Marcq) should travel with Floor to the Caulincourt address given by Col. Humphries to Floor. At the last minute however Georges Marc (Marcq) was dropped and Maître Gregoire put in his place. However; Georges Marc (Marcq) left for the Caulincourt address a few days later: DELPHINE tells me that London was warned by telegram through LINING of his departure but that the matter was delayed as there was some mutilation in the telegrams. You should be able to trace, if you look at the telegram about the date of Floor's departure from Brussels.
I think you will also find that we wrote a note to Col. Humphries warning him that Georges Marc (Marcq) was travelling. I certainly remember telling Col. Humphries verbally.
One further bit of information which may be of interest, there is a rumour here that Georges Marc (Marcq) was arrested at the same time as RONALD, but I fear this may be inaccurate as RONALD did not have the Caulincourt address, but of course the parties may have linked up on their way down the line.
I should be grateful if you would give me a full report on the matter, even if this means going to a certain amount of trouble. For instance; I should like exact copies of telegrams or extracts from R.P.S. reports etc.
I am insisting on all these points because, on my recent visit in London, I spoke to Col. Humphries and he said that the line had no knowledge of a Georges Marc (Marcq) and I was to enquire here as to what name he was using in France. Here there is no news of this and I feel that he must have travelled under the name Georges Marc (Marcq), as I know that in some RPS and agents reports there has been mention of a Georges Marc (Marcq) having been arrested on the Pyrenees frontier.
Georges Marc (Marcq) is a much more important person than I had ever imagined, not only in the HUGUETTE/NELLY set-up, but also in Belgian legal circles. For instance, the Belgians are making enquiries for him through Switzerland as there is news here that he has been transported to Germany. You will find in the telegrams information coming from Brussels with regard to his arrest. Brussels had this news because a Frenchman who was in the next cell to Georges Marc (Marcq) in Perpignan escaped, handed over over the news to a Belgian contact in Paris, who passed it on to Brussels.
I am sending this in duplicate so that you can hand a copy to Col. Humphries".
"Le 13 mai 1944, est rejoint par un Hollandais J. DAUBRY (Biallosterski). Le 16 Mai quittent ensemble Paris, avec un guide et un plus GEORGE 'Le Commandant', pour Toulouse avec carte d'indentité françaiseet certificat de travail." (Danhaive)
Upon arriving in the city, the three travelling companions were lodged in a modest apartment above a bicycle shop. On Thursday, 18 May, Danhaive and Biallosterski were taken by a member of the Resistance to another safe house at 9 Rue du Mas St. Augustin in Toulouse. Georges Marcq remained behind alone in the apartment above the bicycle shop.
"Ils sont conduits chez un marchand de vélo. Le Chef local de la ligne qui se faisait appeler Q ou Monsieur EDOUARD vient chercher Danhaive et le Hollandais laissant la George 'Le Commandant'. Il arrive à un autre gite et repartent le 22 mai 1944 pour Perpignant." (Danhaive)
Both men stayed there until Monday, May 22nd 1944. On that day, they departed for Perpignan. There, they stayed with friends of their guide and the following day continued on to a village located only 7 km from the Franco-Spanish border. They remained there until Sunday, May 26th.
"Quittent Perpignant le 26 mai et rentrent suite à un accident survenu a George 'Le Commandant', leur dit-on à Toulouse chez Monsieur CABRIT, Rue de Rossignol 6." (Danhaive)
During this stay, they learned that Marcq, together with agent RONALD, two airmen, and two guides, had been arrested after leaving Perpignan. As a result, Danhaive and Biallosterski were forced to return to Toulouse, where they arrived again on Saturday, May 26th, or Sunday, May 27th. Their guide lodged them in the safe house of M. Cabrit, 6 Rue Rossignol, Toulouse. They remained there until Sunday, June 11th 1944.
On Monday, July 3rd 1944, Danhaive wrote a secret report in Madrid:
Transcription.
RAPPORT SECRET No 300 of rapport No D75.
"A partir de l'hiver 41, 42 DANHAIVE cherche à rejoindre l'UK et dans ce but cherche des contacts. A partir de ce moment s'occuppé d'oeuvres patriotique et entre un rapport avec HENRI FREDERICQ qui se serai occupé d'une service en France. Ne trouve aucune ligne. Henri Fredericq partir de Juin 1943, tout en continuant ses études apporte sa collaboration à HENRI NEUMAN (CAESAR) 28 ans, docteur en droit à l'ULB. En Juin il fournit à Henri Neuman qui était recherche un gite chez les parent Danhaive en Basecles. Vers la fin de Juillet, sert d'intermédiare pour la compte de Henri Neuman afin de mettre en contact un groupe de résistance de Basecles (anciennement du Front Independance) avec le Groupe "G" de sabotage dont le Chef JEAN BURGERS aurait été arrêté vers Avril 1944 et dont Henri Neuman était Chef adjoint. Plus tard Danhaive met Groupe "G" de sabotage avec une carrière (région d' Ecausines) pour la fourniture de poudre noir. Fin Octobre 1943, s'occupe de réception d'armes par parachutage (opération finalement décommandée) et réalisée plus tard à Leuze (dorp ten noorden van Namen). Groupe "G" étant parti pour L' Angleterre, Danhaive ne le revoit que en février 1944, et en mars Groupe "G" lui fait demander s'il serait d'accord de partir en UK et subit un entrainement pour se faire parachute ensuite. Au debut d'avril Danhaive marque son accord, et reçoit instruction d'attendre. Prévenu le 23 avril 1944 par la femme dún agent de Henri Neuman que un certain JACQUES GUYOT qui devait partir comme recrue pour le service de renseignement le lendemain n'a pu être touché et qu'il peut partir à sa place. Il quitte Basecles le 24 avril 1944 et est à Bruxelles le 25 avril, avec le guide LUCIEN va jusque Paris via Mouscron, ou il arrive le 26 avril dans l'après midi (avec comme papiers un Reisbescheinigung fait à son nom, profession employé à Telefunken. Loge à Hotel de la Civette justqu'au 30 Avril, est conduit chez Madame DELORME à Rue Ernest Cresson 4, Paris 18e ou il reste 17 jours.
Le 13 mai 1944, est rejoint par un Hollandais J. DAUBRY (Biallosterski). Le 16 Mai quittent ensemble Paris, avec un guide et un plus GEORGE 'Le Commandant', pour Toulouse avec carte d'indentité françaiseet certificat de travail. Ils sont conduits chez un marchand de vélo. Le Chef local de la ligne qui se faisait appeler Q ou Monsieur EDOUARD vient chercher Danhaive et le Hollandais laissant la George 'Le Commandant'. Ils arrive à un autre gite et repartent le 22 mai 1944 pour Perpignant. Quittent Perpignant le 26 mai et rentrent suite à un accident survenu a George 'Le Commandant', leur dit-on à Toulouse chez Monsieur CABRIT, Rue de Rossignol 6. Repartent le 11 Juin de Toulouse rencontrent un Américan (Norman Pero) qui suit jusqu'a Montrejeau (cabane de bucherons, houthakkers) le 12 Avril 1944 rejoint par un Américan (Richard Elliot) et deux Belges, DRAPIER et SOUDAN. Dès lors le voyage est identique à la relation No. D76."
Jean Drapier’s report is structured somewhat differently, as he travelled together with Soudan using different guides via Paris to Spain. His report was also prepared in Madrid on July 3rd; Drapier is designated D76. D76 is also mentioned in Danhaive’s report, who carries the number D75 with serial number 300.
Transcription.
RAPPORT SECRET (Ref. Déclar. No.76) No. 301)
"Jean DRAPIER rencontre le 24-1-1944, LOPPENS, Conseiller à la Court d'Appel qui lui signale que son nom figure sur une liste nominative de personnes demandées par le Gouvernement . Ayant marqué son accord, il se voit attribuer comme indicatif le nom de CAROLUS, puis ne reçoit plus signe de vie jusque vers le 20-5-1944, date à laquelle Loppens, lui confirme que l'on s'occupe du départ.
Le 5-5-1944 il est averti que le départ est fixé au 7-5-1944. Le 7 mai, est ..ris par Loppens en contact avec le guide THEO (Theo Janssen) et avec René SOUDAN. Ils partent pour Paris munis d'une fausse carte d'identité belge à leur propre nom et d'un passeport pour Paris. Arrivés à Paris vont loger dans un garage à Rue Caulyn Courentant 44 (Garage Coupel, Caulincourt 44, Parijs). Repartent le 8-5-1944 avec carte d'identité française (Nom de CHARDON). Sont conduits chez un boucher à RRE (??) ou ils séjournent dix jours. Dans ce gite rencontre Georges MARCQ qui depart seul le 16-5-1944. Eux même quittent le gite le 19-5-1944 pour Toulouse ou ils arrivent 20-5-1944 (pas de contrôle en chemin de fer). Sont hébergés chez un facteur des Postes jusqu'au 23-5-1944, dat à laquelle ils partent pour Carcassonne. N'ayant pas trouvé le guide (in Carcassonne) ils rentrent au gite (in Toulouse).
Depart le 24-5-1944, avec guide Espagnol pour Perpignan en chemin de fer jusque Quillan puis en autobus. Sont Hérbergé chez un Espagnol. Suite a un accident qui s'est produit la veille (Arrestation de deux Belges dont Georges MARCQ et un agent parachuté blessé (Ronald)), ils sont reconduite au gite de Toulouse ou était arrivé entretemps Josine MARDULYN (aka BETTY, or GENEVIEVE), dont le fréres est incarcéré à Saint Gilles depuis la fermeture de l'ULB.
Josine Mardulyn part le 27-5-1944 avec un compatriote magistrat, et il est convenu d'attendre le message radiodiffusé qui doit annoncer la bonne arrivée de ce groupe.
Le message "Chienne a eu quatre chiots" est entendu le 6-6-1944. Ils partent avec en plus un aviateur Américain (Richard Elliot) le 12 Juin pour Montrejeau. De là à pied jusque Saint Betrand-de-Comminges ou ils remis au guide passeur. Logent le 13 Juin dans une Cabane de berger ou ils rejoignent un Américain, le Belge (Danhaive) et un Hollandais (Biallosterski).
Le groupe campe le 14 Juin puis la nuit suivante en passant par un tunnel de captage arrivent à la frontière qu'ils passent le 16 Juin (probablement au Col de Venasque). Drapier étant épuisé de fatique, le groupe campe jusqu'a la nuit du 18 Juin en attendant une voiture que le guide est allé chercher.
Le 18 Juin, retrouvent la voiture que le près d'une centrale éléctrique (Route descendant à Graus). La voiture est arrêtée par la Garde Civile en amont de Graus, et amenée sous garde à Graus ou tout le groupe est arrêté.
Drapier déclare offcier aviateur Canadien né en 1905, rejoignant les Forces. Transféré a Basbastro puis Huesca le 21 Juin le groupe entre en contact avec le vice Consul de Grande Bretagne a Saragosse. Interrogé à nouveau Drapier se déclaré finalement civil Canadien.
Font une tentative de passage par Perpignant et rentrent à Toulouse qu'ils quittent finalement le 12 Juin pour l'Espagne via Montrejeau, St.Bertrand-de-Comminges. Entrent en Espagne le 16 Juin, sont arrêtés sur la route de Graus. Il se présente comme Canadien sous le nom de CHARDON. Transféré à Barbastro le 21 Juin, à Saragosse le 22 Juin et placé en résidence surveillée. Transféré à Madrid le 30 Juin 1944."
An internet website about the life of Jacques Swaters states that his sister Jacqueline was married to Georges Marcq. According to the site, Marcq left Belgium in 1943 to go to England. He was indeed arrested in southern France and reportedly spent six months in the prison of Pau. He was then transferred to the notorious Fresnes prison just outside Paris. In August 1944, he was allegedly deported to Mittelbau-Dora near Nordhausen in Germany, where he is said to have died on February 5th 1945.
If he had spent six weeks instead of six months in the prison of Pau, the story would align correctly.
Several telegrams about Georges Marcq were exchanged between England and France, showing that he was not just an ordinary person, but someone needed in London by the Belgian government. Some information about him can be found in HS6-280. On June17th 1944, the Belgian SOE section received a memo from the French SOE DF (escape) section:
Transcription.
EXFILTRATION OF BELGIAN AGENTS
"With reference to your T/BE/1717 of the 15th June, when you receive a reply to the above minute, I should be grateful if you could let us know and we will provide you with an address in France to which these bodies can be sent.
In connection with this, I would like to take this opportunity of informing you that we have received a message from the field to the effect that the Caulaincourt address is now blown, and that therefore agents should on no account go there. I am not quite clear as to how thsi address came to be known to so may of your agents, as it was specifically given to FLOOR alone, so I should be grateful if you could ask him which Circuits would be in possession of it, and let them know, so that no further bodies go to this contact.
We have also received information today that the VIC Circuit in Paris has eight fresh Belgian bodies in hand, one of these being a woman. I am unable ti identify them, and neither have we been informed as to which contact they went to, or how they came to be in hand at all. I should be grateful if you could help us."
This memo concerns the fact that Ides Floor apparently gave out the safe house in Paris, Garage Coupel, 44 Caulincourt, to anyone wishing to escape to Spain, even though this safe house was intended for him alone. Among others, Tobias Biallosterski and Georges Marcq received this address from Floor.
On 29 June 1944, the Belgian SOE section sent a report to the French SOE Escape section regarding Georges Marcq:
"Reference to our T/WT/BE/1074 (page 21) of 31-5-1944 and T/WT/BE/1244 (page 60) of 12-6-1944.
Reference conversation this morning, herewith the text of the messages we have received from the field regarding Georges Marcq."
"From VARRO via KINGSTON. No.19 23-6-44 3923/3".
POUR AGNES ET TYBALT RPT AGNES ET TYBALT SUIVANT INFORMATIONS DE FRANCE APPRENONS QUE GEORGES MARCQ RPT GEORGES MARCQ PARTI POUR UK DEUX JOURS APRES AGNES PAR MEME FILLIERE AURAIT ETE ARRETE PYRENEES RPT PYRENEES DATE INDETERMINEE STOP
PRIERE FAIRE URGENCE ENQUETE SUR MARCQ RPT MARCQ ET ME TRANSMETTRE NOUVELLES IMMEDIATEMENT STOP
EN PARLER A JUPITER PRT JUPITER STOP
IMPORTANT POUR SITUATION NOS AGENTS ICI ME DONNER RESPONSE RAPIDE STOP
SEMBLERAIT QUE AGENT ALLEMAND DJLTO LOAIC INTRODUIT FILIERE XX RPT FILIERE XX
AGNES is Ides Floor
TYBALT is André Wendelen (old agent)
JUPITER is Lt.Gen. Ganshof van der Meersch (Floor's boss)
VARRO is George Marchal
KINGSTON is Albert Jules Delvingt
"From LINING via KINGSTON. No.88 28-6-44".
EIGHTY EIGHT (88) FROM NOLA STOP
VOTRE SOIXANTE TROIS (63) STOP
MAGISTRATS FOURNIS PAR CONSEILLER ONT ETE LIVRES PAR MES SOINS A PARIS QUATRE UN (41) CAILAINCOURT LES VINGT TROIS (23) MAI ET UN (1) JUIN STOP
CONSEILLER VOUS ENVOIE LES DETAILS STOP
JE VOUS AI ENVOYE LES NOMS A CHAQUE DEPART STOP
CE CITE CAULAINCOURT EST BRULE SUITE ARRESTATION DE MARCQ RPT MARCQ DANS LES PYRENEES STOP MON SEPT (7) DU VINGT DEUX (22) STOP CHEERIO
The "Magistrats" are the 4 bodies mentioned in our T/WT/BE/1244 - I believe you have already made contact with them.
NOLA is Maurice Durieux
LINING is Wilfred Cecil Waddington
The first message indicates that Georges Marcq was arrested in the Pyrenees. The exact date of the arrest is not yet known. The identity of the mentioned German agent is unclear, and both groups could not be decoded.
The second message states that the safe house, Garage Coupel, 44 Caulincourt in Paris, is no longer usable because it has become known to the Germans. This is said to be a direct consequence of Georges Marcq’s arrest.
On October13th 1944, the SOE DF section wrote the following memo to the Belgian SOE section:
Transcription.
GEORGES MARCQ
"With reference to your T/BE/2315, I confirm that we asked the field serveral times for news of Georges Marcq, and were informed that they had no record of anuone of that name in our lines. However, I have made further enquiries in Paris, and received the following information:
A. According to the information of one of our contacts, Georges Marcq was arrested on his way across the Pyrenees and is believed to be now in a camp in WEIMAR (Germany). His contact address was "COLIN" i.e. Rue Caulaincourt, Paris 18. He was brought there by THEO (Theo Janssen).
B. The Belgian Embassy has approached his contact "FRANCE" i.e. Madame NOGAL who is carrying on her husband's business after his arrest by the Germans. They enquired after a certain Monsieur DE LANGE nephew of Monsier SPAAK, Belgian Minister. It is thought that he passed through this contact address towards the end of March or early April this year. Our contact is pretty sure that according to the description given, this body was directed through Lyon and Perpignant, and therefore should be, by now safe in London. Would you give confirmation on this supposition?
With regard to the Monsieur De LANGE mentioned in para B, I have no record of anyone of that name in my files, but ofcourse he probably came over under some pseudonym. I should be grateful if you could check up that he is in fact now in London."
Op July 15th 1944 schrijft Ides Floor writtes a memo to his chief, Majoor H. Amies of SOE section T (Belgium).
Transcription.
GEORGES MARCQ
"Reference your IMF/MB/4418 of 13th July, the situation is that there has never been any notification from France that either a George MARCQ or a George VAUDOIS was actually on one of Colonel HUMPHRIES' lines.
There has, however, been a report of one or two Belgians - names unknown - having been arrested in the South. There is every reason to believe that one of these may be Georges MARCQ. If it is so, it is to be presumed that he is in the Citadel at Perpignan from which it would not be possible to get him out.
The whole situation is not very clear and we hope to get it straightened out when Jean DRAPIER arrives in the UK."
After the liberation, on October 7th 1944, Lt. Col. Amies wrote a report on Georges Marcq for Major Murphy, detailing his role in the Resistance and his escape attempt to England via Spain.
Transcription.
"Georges MARC (or MARCQ or MARCK or MARCQ)"
"I met yesterday Mme. Marc (Marcq), who, apart from being a very charming woman, has been of inestimable service to the NELLY/HUGUETTE/LINING set up:
It appears that Georges Marc (Marcq); her husband, was also very much in the racket: Being a laywer, he is also a friend of Ganshof and having been in hiding for some time (due to the work he has done for us) he accepted the request from London (from Ganshof) to come to the UK. Matters came to a climax when Floor was out there en mission and it was arranged that Georges Marc (Marcq) should travel with Floor to the Caulincourt address given by Col. Humphries to Floor. At the last minute however Georges Marc (Marcq) was dropped and Maître Gregoire put in his place. However; Georges Marc (Marcq) left for the Caulincourt address a few days later: DELPHINE tells me that London was warned by telegram through LINING of his departure but that the matter was delayed as there was some mutilation in the telegrams. You should be able to trace, if you look at the telegram about the date of Floor's departure from Brussels.
I think you will also find that we wrote a note to Col. Humphries warning him that Georges Marc (Marcq) was travelling. I certainly remember telling Col. Humphries verbally.
One further bit of information which may be of interest, there is a rumour here that Georges Marc (Marcq) was arrested at the same time as RONALD, but I fear this may be inaccurate as RONALD did not have the Caulincourt address, but of course the parties may have linked up on their way down the line.
I should be grateful if you would give me a full report on the matter, even if this means going to a certain amount of trouble. For instance; I should like exact copies of telegrams or extracts from R.P.S. reports etc.
I am insisting on all these points because, on my recent visit in London, I spoke to Col. Humphries and he said that the line had no knowledge of a Georges Marc (Marcq) and I was to enquire here as to what name he was using in France. Here there is no news of this and I feel that he must have travelled under the name Georges Marc (Marcq), as I know that in some RPS and agents reports there has been mention of a Georges Marc (Marcq) having been arrested on the Pyrenees frontier.
Georges Marc (Marcq) is a much more important person than I had ever imagined, not only in the HUGUETTE/NELLY set-up, but also in Belgian legal circles. For instance, the Belgians are making enquiries for him through Switzerland as there is news here that he has been transported to Germany. You will find in the telegrams information coming from Brussels with regard to his arrest. Brussels had this news because a Frenchman who was in the next cell to Georges Marc (Marcq) in Perpignan escaped, handed over over the news to a Belgian contact in Paris, who passed it on to Brussels.
I am sending this in duplicate so that you can hand a copy to Col. Humphries".
Majoor Murphy answers the letter from Lt. Col. Amies as follows:
Transcription.
GEORGES MARCQ
In reply to your letter of the 7th October, 1944 regarding the above, the following is the story as far as we know it.
1. On 14-5-44 a message was received from VARRO, as follows: From VARRO via GLOVE:
"MESSAGE TWO ... GEORGES MARCQ LEFT FOR UK SAME WAY AND WITH ACCORD AGNES PLEASE GIVE HELP IN SPAIN ..."
2. On 31-5-44 Col. Amies wrote to Col. Humphries' section (T/WT/BE/1074) concerning the information in the paragraph 1 and asking for all possible assistance.
3. On 23-6-44 VARRO telegram states: From VARRO via KINGSTON:
"POUR AGNES ET TYBALT RPT AGNES ET TYBALT SUIVANT INFORMATIONS DE FRANCE APPRENONS QUE GEORGES MARCQ RPT GEORGES MARCQ PARTI POUR UK DEUX JOURS APRES AGNES PAR MEME FILLIERE AURAIT ETE ARRETE PYRENEES RPT PYRENEES DATE INDETERMINEE STOP PRIERE FAIRE URGENCE ENQUETE SUR MARCQ RPT MARCQ ET ME TRANSMETTRE NOUVELLES IMMEDIATEMENT STOP EN PARLER A JUPITER PRT JUPITER STOP IMPORTANT POUR SITUATION NOS AGENTS ICI ME DONNER RESPONSE RAPIDE STOP SEMBLERAIT QUE AGENT ALLEMAND DJLTO LOAIC INTRODUIT FILIERE XX RPT FILIERE XX"
4. On 26-6-44 a telegram was received from LINING as follows: From LINING via KINGSTON:
"EIGHTY EIGHT (88) FROM NOLA STOP VOTRE SOIXANTE TROIS (63) STOP
MAGISTRATS FOURNIS PAR CONSEILLER ONT ETE LIVRES PAR MES SOINS A PARIS QUATRE UN (41) CAILAINCOURT LES VINGT TROIS (23) MAI ET UN (1) JUIN STOP CONSEILLER VOUS ENVOIE LES DETAILS STOP JE VOUS AI ENVOYE LES NOMS A CHAQUE DEPART STOP CE CITE CAULAINCOURT EST BRULE SUITE ARRESTATION DE MARCQ RPT MARCQ DANS LES PYRENEES STOP MON SEPT (7) DU VINGT DEUX (22) STOP CHEERIO
5. On the 29-6-44 Col. Amies wrote to Col. Humphries giving the information contained in paragraph 3 and 4 (reference T/BE/1792).
6. on 14-7-44 a letter was received from the Surete (IMF/MB/4418) giving a copy of Madrid cable as follows:
"P M Q APPRENONS QUE GEORGES MARCQ FUR ARRETE VINGT CINQ (25) MAI ENTRE PERPIGNANT ET ZONE INTERDITE STOP IL VOAGEAIT SOUS NOM GEORGES VAUDOIS SOURCE ADVOCAT JEAN DRAPIER"
7. 15-7-44 Col. Amies replied to Capt. Floor (EMA/1923) that subject was not known under either of those names on Col. Humphries escape lines. A report had however been received by Col. Humphries of one or two Belgians arrested but their names were unknown.
8. On 28-7-44 the Jean DRAPIER mentioned in paragraph 6 arrived in U.K. The following is an extract from his R.P.S. report No. 22241:
"47. They (Drapier & Soudan) were then taken by Mme. ROSE to Nanterre, to the house of M. and Mmme VALEUR. M. Valeur id described as 40/45; 1m65; brown eyes; large forhead; light brown hair graying; receding at the sides; he is a butcher by profession. Mme Valeur is described as 37; 1m60; blond (dyed)".
"48. At this house they met a colleague of theirs, namely M. Georges MARCQ, a lawyer who was to be subsequently arrested when crossing the Pyrenees"
"49. DRAPIER and his companion remained in the house of M. and Mme VALEUR until 19th May. MARCQ departed the 16th May"
"55. This man took them to the suburbes of the town (Carcasonne) where they had lunch in a small Cafe; the guide having gone to hear about the latest news then returned stating that there had been a mishap on the Line and that they would have to return to Toulouse".
"56. They were to learn subsequently that the mishap was nothing less than the arrest of Georges MARCQ"
9. on 5-9-44 we received a telegram from MONTANO as follows: From MONTANO via POLKA:
"MON NO TREIZE (13) STOP SUIS SANS REPONSE A MES NOS SEPT (7) A DOUZE (12) STOP DEMANDEZ A HUBERT CARTON DE WIART CONSULTAT BELGE PARIS NOUVELLES GEORGES MARCQ ADVOCAT BRUXELLES INTERNNE A FRESNEE STOP FAMILJE TRES INQUIET STOP GUILLAUME"
10. On 14-9-44 we received a telegram from Brussels as follows:
"TWENTY TWO (22) OF FOURTEEN (14) STOP FOR MAC OR NMIZS STIE ENQUIRE FROM HUMPHRIES WHEREABOUT OF GEORGES MARCQ RPT GEORGES MARCQ STOP PLEASE CHECK IF HE IS NOT GEORGE MARQ RPT MARQ ALIAS DADDY WHO LIVED IN UCCIE STOP HE WORKED IN RESISTANCE WAS REPORTED ARRESTED BY GERMANS WHILE TRYING REACH ENGLAND"
To which we replied:
"NINETEEN (19) OF FOURTEENTH (14) STOP YOUR TWENTY TWO (22) OF FOURTEENTH (14) STOP NO BELGIAN KNOWN TO HAVE TRAVELLED UNDER NAME GEORGE MARK RPT GEORGE MARK STOP IN ORDER TRACE WHEREABOUT GEORGE MARCQ RPT MARCQ SHOULD KNOW WHAT ALIAS HE WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE GIVEN OUR PEOPLE IN FRANCE WHILE IN THEIR HANDS STOP PRESUMED ARRESTED NEAR SPANISH BORDER STOP NO NEWS SINCE THEN STOP"
For telegrams about Georges Marcq click here.
Jacqueline Marcq-Swaters & Georges Marcq.
Possibly Georges Marq is one of the mentioned Belgians who were arrested on May 22nd 1944.
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