|
Major William BECHTEL
Born in Epinal (Vosges) on October 1t, 1894, William Bechtel studied chemistry at the Technikum of Winterthur (Zurich) and the University of Geneva. He was drafted as private to the 170th Infantry Regiment on the August 30, 1914.
Wounded by shrapnel in his lung on March 13, 1915, during a raid in Mesnil-les-Hurlus (Champagne).
Mentioned in dispatches under number 23 528 D.
Assigned to the 141st Infantry Regiment after leaving hospital, then to the motor car service of the 15th Staff Headquarter Transportation Squadron. Successively promoted corporal, sergeant then warrant officer.
At the signing of the armistice, Bechtel was assigned as trainee interpreter to the Staff Headquarter of the 10th Army (General Mangin). Deputy Commander Bastiani was then administrator of the province of Birkenfeld, Bechtel took an active part in negotiations leading to the declaration of independence of this province and later trigger the Rhenish separatist movement.
Demobilized on September 13, 1919, Bechtel joined the industry; he was successively chemist at Durand - Huguenin in Basel, the official laboratory in Tunis and Alsatian Chemical Company in Mulhouse.
Promoted lieutenant, from 1936 to 1938 he attended several interpreter trainings at the military school of Paris.
Having established his own business account in 1928, he did many commercial trips to Germany and, as directed, submitted to the Bureau of Intelligence several reports on the work of a military nature: location of troops, etc.. ... this especially since 1936.
He carried out his last "study" trip on March 18, 1939, few months before the war.
From March 19, the police inquired about him and he was arrested near Trier in the fortified area closed to traffic. Brought in his car by the police, he managed to escape at a road junction and crossed the border near Germanshof in the night of March 19 to 20, despite the closure of this border post.
At the outbreak of the war (September 1939), Bechtel was confirmed as managing director of his plant under special assignment for the manufacturing of diphenylamine (Powder stabilizer). Following his request, on June 10, 1940, he was crossed off from this special assignment.
Put at disposal of the staff of the First Army, but due the lightning advance of the Germans, he decided on June 13, 1940 to destroy his factory located in Igny (Seine-et-Oise) that could be used by the enemy.
On the night of June 13, when the Germans came into Paris he droved to Laval in his car after having received from Captain Zundel from the Intelligence Bureau instructions and materials necessary to organize a sabotage network behind the German lines.
He could not carry out this sabotage task due to the rapid advance of enemy forces and the disappearance of the officers who were to assist him, Bechtel, who heard the radio call from General De Gaulle, decided to go to England and after having sneaked away from the Germans (the first time in Morlaix and the second time in Saint-Brieuc) he managed on June 26 to embark onboard a fishing boat in Longuivy near Paimpol and reached England.
On July 1, 1940, in London he signed his commitment to the Free French Forces (commitment number 361 A).
Appointed Lieutenant on September 25, 1940, Bechtel was dispatched to Bangui (French Equatorial Africa) where he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Battalion of Oubangui Chari.
With his battalion he took part in the campaign in Syria, in police operations on the Euphrate river and in the Libyan campaign (including Bir Hacheim where he was mentioned in dispatches as follows: “Reserve officer, full of heart and dedication, veteran of 14-18 War, leader of Infantry battalion BM 2 during the Bir Hakeim battle. Thanks to his activity, his eye for, managed to bring back the truck convoy that was about to be overtaken by the German tanks on May 27, 1942” (General Order No. 23 of February 26, 1943)
The battalion suffered greatly of the war and was ordered to go back to French Equatorial Africa, Bechtel being promoted captain on March 25, 1943 asked to be assigned to the BCRA in London, he joined in September 1943.
On October1st, 1943 he was assigned to the Sussex Plan and sent to Englo-American training schools in St. Albans.
In early December 1943, he attended Ringway parachute school near Manchester. On the night of April 9, 1944, he was infiltrated by parachute into occupied France near Chateauroux with his radio, with an intelligence mission to report to the Allied staff, any movement of enemy troops, German military installations etc.. in the Rouen area.
Despite great difficulties, he managed to carry on his bicycle his radio set and weapons from Chartres (where he was dropped by mistake) to Rouen, where he established its information centre. He managed to send 52 messages to the Allies and the mission was evaluated as "first class" by Colonel Henderson Sussex Plan Head.
The information contained in his messages N° 3 and 8, respectively allowed the destruction by the RAF of a very important fuel depot in Rouen (Desmarais depot) and a train loaded with V1 in the Formerie railway station.
His messages N ° 33 and 41 of August 25 and 26 allowed the destruction by the RAF of thousands of men and army vehicles of the Von Kluge’s army retreating and trying to cross the Seine river.
On August 5, 1944, Bechtel followed a German convoy on the road from Rouen to Malaunay in order to know where it was heading to. He was on his bicycle hang on a lorry, when he went into a shell hole made during the bombardment of the column
Despite a broken hip, he managed to get up and to save his radio set (which was on the rack of the bicycle). Hidden by persons from the resistance, the next day he had a surgery in Dr.Dessaint’s clinic in Rouen, which did not prevent him from resuming the following night his radio contact time with the reconnaissance aircraft allies.
On August 19, Bechtel received from his boss the following message: "Have great pleasure to report that High Command considers your messages very accurate, interesting and congratulate you."
On August 30, Bechtel was relieved by a Canadian unit and transported to the Val-de-Grâce Hospital in Paris, in a very serious health condition requiring a second surgery. He was awarded the Legion of Honor with the following quote: “ Officers of remarkable courage, blessed with a sacrifice spirit. A veteran of 14 18 war and despite his injuries had volunteered for a parachute mission behind the enemy lines : Settled his) mission in a most "brilliant" way in spite of of very great difficulties. Signed De Gaulle "
After this surgery and medical treatment at the Val de Grace Hospital, William Bechtel was dispatched to Indochina as major of the Conus Commando from July 20, 1945 to May 28, 1946.
William Bechtel died in the summer of 1988.
Main decorations:
Pin of the decorations of William Bechtel :
Sources:
|
