Early life and mobilization

Pierre Deshayes was born on December 24, 1918, in Gomené in the Côtes d'Armor. In November 1939, he was mobilized into the Génie, a French military engineering corps.

Capture and return

Captured in June 1940, he was released in September due to his profession as a railway worker and returned to his job near Nanterre. Refusing the occupation, he decided to join the FFL in England.

Escape to England

In January 1941, he entered Spain clandestinely, then joined Portugal after escaping from a train. He waited three months before being able to board a ship to Gibraltar, then arrived in Scotland in July 1941.

Joining the resistance

Enlisted in the FFL, he was assigned to the BCRA and underwent parachute training. In December 1942, he was dropped by an aerial operation north of Châteauroux and joined Lyon.

Leadership in the resistance

He took command of the Action network for Region A, covering five departments in the north. In March 1943, he was introduced to the responsible officials of the northern zone movements.

Expanding the network

Quickly relieved of the sabotage part, he became responsible for the BOA for Region A. He chose parachute landing sites and made contact with the resistance organizations in the region.

Reinforcements and operations

In August 1943, he received two important reinforcements: Arnaud Bisson and Edouard Paysant. Thanks to his actions, he set up a network of departmental leaders and reception committees for parachute drops.

Evacuations and repatriation

He also helped in the evacuation of Allied airmen and resistance members sought by enemy police. After a year of mission, he had to be repatriated to Great Britain in January 1944.

Continuing the mission

He welcomed his successor, Robert Aubinière, in March. Contacted by British intelligence for a kidnapping operation, he delayed his departure. When his successor was arrested in April, he resumed his responsibilities as regional BOA leader.

Final operations and liberation

In May 1944, he left Lille and moved to Nouvion. In July, he met Jean Vimont, his successor as head of the BOA for Region A. Together, they prepared and executed several operations until the liberation, marking the end of Pierre Deshayes' mission, which lasted 20 months.

Post-war life and death

After the war, he worked at the daily newspaper La Voix du Nord. Pierre Deshayes died on October 26, 2011, in Redon (Ille-et-Vilaine). He was buried in the cemetery of Pouliguen in Loire-Atlantique.

Awards and honors

He was awarded the Commander of the Legion of Honour, Companion of Liberation – decree of March 24, 1945, Cross of War 39/45, Distinguished Service Order (GB), Cross of War (Belgium), and Officer of the Order of Leopold (Belgium).