Louis Poubel, Sub-Official, 7th Infantry Division Reconnaissance Group ©
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Read this introduction to Louis Poubel's story, then listen to him describe his experiences, using the links at the foot of this page.

Louis Poubel was a sub-official in the 7th Infantry Division Reconnaissance Group (7ème GRDI) of the French Army. Coming from a family of farmers, his decision to join the army was influenced by the fact that his father had died, and his mother had rented out the family's farm, thus depriving the young Poubel of work.

When the war started, Poubel was officially an expert in military communications. But in practice he had to engage in combat, commanding an armoured car. In 1940, he and his comrades were sent to Belgium, but in May his battalion was forced to retreat from Tirlemont to Dunkirk. Fighting was heavy on the road, with visible German superiority and a conspicuous lack of support from the Allied air forces.

In Coudequerke, near Dunkirk, Poubel and his colleagues were ordered to prevent the Germans from passing through. They stayed there for almost three days. But when they finally made it to the beach, the evacuation had finished, and they were captured.

Later that year, Poubel managed to free himself from German custody near Lille, in his third escape attempt. After the war he remained in the French Army, serving in Algeria and other places.

The interview with Louis Poubel was recorded in his native French. The transcription is in English.

	Bombed on the road Play audio Read transcript

	Disappointment on the beach Play audio Read transcript

	A lucky escape Play audio Read transcript
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