The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-08-25

Speclallzeu. Tn many cases where Jews were rounded mp and crowded into trains for deportation French women have run beside the slow. moving trains and snatched babies and youngsters thrown out to them by anguished parents. These chil- dren had to ke provided with fN'ea papers and ration cards and brought up as members OI uIe taIn- fly.
 Women acted as couriers. carry ing messages which obviously could not be sent through postal or tele- phone services. They distributed clanestine papers. helped with the printing presses. stole identity pa- pers and ration card blanks. passed on orders for meeting and sabotage. all highly dangerous work for which the penalty, if caught. meant death or deportation to German labor camps.
 A sENTRY'S WITS
 ''AaATCHED"
 Frenchwomen soon acquired the cool-headed resourcefulness and cunning necessary to outwit the Nazis. One incident will illustrate this: A few weeks before D-Day woman patriot was assigned 10 run a truckful of small arms and am- munition-dropped by parachute by the British-to somewhere in the Haute Savoie mountains" dis tance of some 80 miles. The truck was camouilaged as an ambulance. Tine Gestapo knew that this was being done under their very noses, yet had heen unsuccessful in laying hands on single load.
 Arrangements were made for pa- tTiots to meet the truck just beyond the German control post and to be on the 'qui yiye" to come to assist ance of Madame A. Challenged by the sentry, she was asked What are you carrying?" "A load of arms and ammunition, what do you think7" she replied with a smile and a shrug of her shoulders. Meanwhile she had Ostentati0llsly produced a large box of matches and pack Oi cigaretg. two Of the most difficult things to come by in occupied France She aske dthe sentry if he smoked and said he could have the matches - that she had lots more. Meanwhile sile was waiting for the dread moment when he would again mention hor load and she would be forced to make a getaway and per- haps shoot. After exchanging a few more amenities she declared she must be on her way. The German guard waved her on and as a part. ing joke shouted: And don't forget to thank the British"
 NO TASK TOO MENIAL
 For FrenehwOmen Of all classes there was no job too menial when it concerned the patriots army, They washed and mended their clothes risking much to fetch and deliver them By hook or crook they carried food to the Maquis as well as sorely-Eoeded drugs. when they could lay theif hands on supplies. Not all the members Of the resist anee movement in France are armed glleTrillas, Besides the patriots army now known as the French Forces Of Interior and numbering probably T50,00O, Is another great army Of civilians who already have proved tO the Allies their desire to help, They represent at least 90 per cent of the population and include kids Of Q and 10 as well as venerable grandmOthers,
 Youngsters lead our men to Ger man snipers' hideOllts or give wr0n6 directions to the enemy; a peasant woman will conceal 8 sOldies or a paFaehutist in her cellar until the coast is clear; gnaTled farmer working in his field will keep aI watch0ut for enemy movements
 In these and in . hundred dlffeF' ent ways they are fighting the Bat- tie of France, united jn their e0m' mon hatred Of the oppreSsoF,