The Croixault Aerodrome

Posted on September 8, 2025 • No Comments

L’aérodrome de Croixault sous l’occupation allemande, 1940-41 During the Battle of France, 53 Squadron was based here, engaged in reconnaissance duties to track the advancing German Army. One aircraft of the squadron was a Blenheim MK IV PZ¤C. The crew were Flying Officer Alastair Panton, Sergeant John Christie, and AC2[...]

Homage to the Airmen

Posted on August 30, 2025 • No Comments

On Saturday, August 30, 2025, I had the privilege of being invited by Les Amicale des Anciens des Maquis de la Vallée d’Azergues to pay homage to Flying Officers John Christie and Dennis Kieran Flaherty at their Commonwealth War Grave in Létra. It was a tremendous honour, and I extend[...]

The Pilot of The Admiral Prune

Posted on July 24, 2025 • No Comments

Context Thursday, February 4, 1943. It was 22:30 hrs, and Lancaster W4118 was four hours and twenty minutes into a mission to bomb the Industrial Italian city of Turin. Six Lancasters from 106 Squadron had left RAF Syerston as part of a bombing mission consisting of 188 aircraft. The last[...]

Charles Arsène Victor MARIZY

Posted on August 4, 2023 • No Comments

Charles Arsène Victor MARIZY 1847 - 1930 Marizy Charles Arsène Victor SOURCE: Unknown It's less confusing if you look at the family tree first. Charles Arsène Victor MARIZY was the great-grandfather of the last Chamelet Mayor of the 20th Century, Charles Bréchard. Charles Arsène MARIZY was M. Bréchard's grandfather and served[...]

It’s 79 Years Ago Today

Posted on July 26, 2023 • No Comments

79th Anniversary and Worthy of a Quick Reminder. FO Gribben RAF and FL Griffiths RCAF Crew of DZ 534 rescued from English Channel.jpg (L'équipage du DZ 534 sauvé de la Manche) SOURCE: © United Kingdom National Archives It's 79 years since the Mosquito Crashed in the Forêt de Brou. Overnight[...]

SONNERY becomes Mayor

Posted on July 10, 2023 • No Comments

Chamelet gets a new Mayor. M. Sonnery is Installed as Mayor. 7th July 1943 Mr. SONNERY is selected as Mayor of Chamelet by the Préfet Délégué of Rhône. Under the authority of of the Vichy Law of 13th Nov 1941. Monsieur Sébastien Jean Marie SONNERY was selected as the new[...]

Sébastien Jean Marie SONNERY is selected as the Mayor of Chamelet by the Préfet

Posted on June 26, 2023 • No Comments

The Resignation of Mayor MARIZY is accepted. Source - Document Archives départementales du Rhône et de la métropole de Lyon 3353 W2 Mr. SONNERY is selected as Mayor of Chamelet by the Préfet Délégué of Rhône. Under the authority of of the Vichy Law of 13th Nov 1941. Here is[...]

Le Cocon

Posted on June 19, 2023 • No Comments

Map of Le Cocon Circa 1938 SOURCE - Archives du département du Rhône et de la métropole de Lyon 04544, 5564W23 What is clear is that on the 19th of December 1943, M.Sonnery was arrested, and the temporary refuge of the Maquis at Le Cocon was destroyed. According to Roger[...]

Charles Arsène MARIZY resigns as Mayor of Chamelet

Posted on June 8, 2023 • No Comments

The Resignation letter of Mayor MARIZY Source - Document Archives départementales du Rhône et de la métropole de Lyon 3353 W2 Photo : Charles BRÉCHARD Charles Arsène Marizy has been Mayor of Chamelet for only 57 days. There were no Conseil Municipal meetings during this period, so no deputies were[...]

Charles Arsène MARIZY becomes Mayor of Chamelet

Posted on April 12, 2023 • No Comments

Jean Joseph THOLIN has been dead for 18 days, and his Deputy, Charles Arsène MARIZY, has been managing Chamelet. That day, the Prefect of the Rhône, M. Jean DISSARD, using Vichy Law, wrote to the Sub-Prefect of Villefranche accepting his recommendation that Charles MARIZY be charged with the duties of[...]