The Man in the Blue Scarf

The Man and the Blue Scarf

Suzanne Marsh

He slipped silently into the shadows, listening for the sounds of regular traffic. He fingered the blue silk scarf around his neck as he thought about his attempt at suicide with a shard of glass, cutting his own throat, to keep from being tortured. He was forced to sign a document that was false. When he cut his throat, he was sure death would come quickly; instead, a guard saw him hack at his throat, just as he was passing out, they took him to a nearby hospital. He was released from the hospital. He watched cautiously as the traffic slowed to its normal flow. He slipped out of the shadows, making his way toward his parents' hometown of Saint-Andiol, Bouches-du-Rhone, where he joined the French Resistance, Free France. He went under the name of Joseph Jean Mercier. He went to Marseille, where he began his work and met other resistance fighters, including Henri Frenay and Antoine Sachs. His job was to unite the resistance factions into one large network. His real name was Jean Moulin, a radical for his time. He was already known to the Gestapo in Chartres. He was arrested for the first time on July 17, 1940. Before his arrest, he wrote to his parents, “If the Germans who are capable of anything – make me say dishonorable words, you already know, it is not the truth.” Jean refused to sign a false document. He was tortured to the point of slitting his own throat with a shard of glass. “Get a doctor quickly,” yelled the guard. Jean was transported to a hospital for treatment. Jean, once he was released, decided he did not want to be known as a collaborator. He left Chartres for his parents' hometown of Saint-Andiol, where he joined the Free France movement under the name of Joseph Jean Mercier. He then went to Marseille, where he met other resistance fighters such as Henri Frenay and Antoine Sachs. In September of 1941, Moulin traveled to London at the request of General Charles De Gaulle, Commander-in-Chief of the Free French Forces. Moulin strode into General De Gaulle’s office. The general stood, then motioned Moulin to sit down. De Gaulle began: “I am assigning you to coordinate and unify the various Resistance groups.” Moulin stared at the general, as if the man had lost his mind. He agreed to do what was asked of him. On January 1, 1942, Moulin parachuted into the Alpilles and met with the leaders of the resistance groups, his code name either Rex or Max. The men he met with that day were Henri Frenay-Combat, Emmanuel d’ Astier, Jean-Pierre Levy -Francs-tireurs, Pierre Villoon- Front national, and Pierre Brossolette – Committee of action socialists. The following month, Moulin returned to London, accompanied by General Charles Delestraint. Moulin left London on March 21, 1942, with orders to unify the French resistance by forming the National Resistance Council. Moulin obtained a unanimous adoption of a program and also recognition of Charles de Gaulle as their leader. June 21, 1943, was the beginning of the end of Jean Moulin. While holding a meeting with fellow Resistance leaders in the home of Dr. Frederic Dugoujon, who was also part of the resistance, in the small town of Caluire­et-Cuire. Moulin was surprised to see Rene Hardy; he had not been invited. Hardy was a member of the resistance who was involved with the Combat section, specializing in train movements, and a specialist in railroads; the others had no idea why he was there. “Hardy, I require answers to where and when the resistance meets again. I also want you to indicate to me Jean Moulin, aka Max. The other resistance leaders are of less importance.” Klaus Barbie stood glowering at Hardy: “I do not think you understand completely, Hardy. I WANT JEAN MOULIN AND HIS RESISTANCE GROUP. Hardy knew if he wanted to continue, being safe, he had to betray the resistance. Men he had known since the war in Europe began, he also knew Barbie would stop at nothing to clear out the entire resistance. “All right, I will point out Moulin; all you have to do is look for the man with a blue scarf around his neck.” Barbie knew he had won; he preferred to torture men and women into talking; he needed him. Barbie had several of his minions infiltrate the resistance, with the help of Hardy. The morning of June 21, 1943, Klaus Barbie arrived and had his men close in on the doctor’s home and office. Once everyone was in place, Barbie rushed in the door. He was amazed that there were so many resistance fighters in one place. Men, he had on his list: Henri Aubry, Raymond Aubrac, Bruno Larat, Andre Lassagne, Colonel Emil Schwarzfeld, and Rene Hardy. The Gestapo bound Rene Hardy’s hands loosely, making his escape seem real. Hardy struck the Gestapo agent, then fled. The men arrested were taken to Montluc Prison, where they waited for the torture to begin. Barbie smiled as Moulin was pushed and prodded toward a chair, resisting as much as he possibly could, his hand cuffed behind his back. Although Barbie had simple torture devices, he began by removing Moulin’s fingernails one at a time with a hot needle, using the needle as a spatula to remove his fingernails. Moulin’s screams could be heard as the other resistance leaders waited, wondering if Moulin would crack under the pressure of torture. They need not have worried; Moulin refused to speak, his fingers were then placed in the door frame of his interrogation cell, and the door was repeatedly slammed shut until his knuckles were completely shattered. His handcuffs were tightened to the point of breaking his wrist bones. He was then beaten about his face and head in an effort to make him talk. Moulin’s face was not recognizable; he lost consciousness and slipped into a coma. Barbie ordered the Moulin to be brought to his office. One of the guards informed that Moulin was unresponsive. That made no difference to Barbie; he used Moulin to show the other resistance leaders what would happen to them. Moulin was last seen alive, his head swathed in bandages, swollen and yellow from the bruising he was subjected to. He died while being transported by train to Germany. His death certificate says Metz train station. In 1943, Hauptsturmführer Klaus Barbie received the Iron Cross (First Class) from Adolf Hitler for his persistent campaign against the French Resistance and his capture of Jean Moulin. Moulin, although dead, still lives on as the head of the French Resistance; he has been honored with historical plaques in his hometown. His love of France and his loyalty to General Charles De Gaulle provided the Resistance with a true martyr for their cause. Moulin’s courage and sacrifice were necessary for France during World War II. Klaus Barbie was sentenced, in absentia, to death. He escaped to Bolivia, where he lived. He was finally tracked down and returned to France. He was placed in prison, and he died of cancer while serving his time. Rene Hardy may or may not have betrayed Jean Moulin; no one knows for certain. The evidence against him seems to point to his betrayal of the resistance. He arrived uninvited, and he escaped capture. Klaus Barbie intimated that René Hardy collaborated with him to capture Jean Moulin. There is always a price to be paid for freedom; it is not free. The men, women, and children who sacrificed their lives so France and the world would have that freedom.