Stories

Alexandre Brémaud is a French researcher whose family farm at La Gaubertie near Limoges was the nominated target for a Special Operations parachute drop on the night of 5/6 March 1944. Alexandre’s grandfather was Commander Eugène Pinte, a leader in the local French Resistance with the code name “ATHOS.”

The operation, code name Trainer 149, was undertaken by a single aircraft, that of New Zealand Pilot Officer Russ Young and his crew flying their regular Stirling bomber LK384 JN-X “Excuse Pliss Mister – I Go, I Come Back”, named after radio comedian Tommy Handley’s best-known punch line.

Their task was to drop weapons and ammunition for the Resistance by parachute:

“The newly commissioned P/O Young and crew took off on TRAINER 149 at 21.04 and reached the target area two hours fifty minutes later, where the reception lights were obscured by a wood and were only visible from directly above. Nevertheless, the correct signal letter was confirmed, and fifteen containers were dropped from 500 feet at 00.22, before a course was set for Limoges to deliver leaflets on the way home.”

The drop was successful, and the fifteen containers delivered 65 Sten guns, 52 grenades, 5 Pistols, 6 machine guns, 27 rifles and several thousand cartridges.

To commemorate the Trainer 149 drop, Alexandre led a small group in a project to create a stone plaque and public information panel located at the farm. This was unveiled at a special service on Sunday 17 September to coincide with European Heritage Days.

The memorial stone and plaque is unveiled
(Credit: Simon Young)

The memorial is a way to pay tribute to the many people of the Resistance who worked tirelessly against the occupation and at great risk to themselves and their families, and to the airmen who brought them the weapons and supplies necessary to carry out their work.

At the opening, a beautiful ceremony brought together a large number of flag bearers, who paid vibrant tribute (to the sound of bagpipes and French horns).

Two cars, representative of those used by members of the French Resistance.
(Credit: Simon Young)

NZBCA’s Chris Newey was able to put Brémaud in contact with descendants of Young, re-establishing a special connection made 80 years ago. Grandson, Simon Young was guest of honour at the unveiling.

Alexandre Brémaud (L) with Simon Young, grandson of P/O Russ Young
(Credit: Simon Young)

A photo of the 75(NZ) Stirling used in the information panel is from the collection of ground crew LAC Dennis Jones, whose daughter Glynis gave permission to use it and is very pleased to be involved in the commemoration.

Alexandre Brémaud (L) with Simon Young beside the memorial stone and information panel
(Credit: Simon Young)