Germaine Tambour facts for kids
Germaine Tambour (born October 14, 1903 – died March 2, 1945) was a brave French resistance fighter during World War II. She risked her life to help her country when it was occupied by enemy forces.
Contents
Germaine Tambour's Life
Early Life and Work
Germaine Louise Tambour was born in Paris, France, on October 14, 1903. Her parents were Alcide and Anne-Marie Tambour. Before the war, she worked as a secretary for a painter and poster artist named André Girard.
Joining the Resistance
When World War II began, Germaine Tambour decided to join the French Resistance, a secret movement that fought against the occupation of France. She used the code name “Annette” to keep her identity hidden from the enemy.
Germaine was part of several important Resistance groups:
- The Combat network, working with Henri Frenay.
- The CARTE network, where she continued to work with André Girard.
- The DONKEYMAN network, which was connected to the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a secret British organization.
- The Prosper - PHYSICIAN network, also part of the SOE.
Her apartment in Paris, where she lived with her sister Madeleine, became a secret hub for many SOE agents. It was used as a "mailbox" to pass secret messages and as a "safe house" where agents could hide and plan their missions.
Arrest and Imprisonment
On April 22, 1944, Germaine and her sister Madeleine were arrested by the Germans. They were taken to Fresnes Prison in France.
Members of the Prosper network, including Francis Suttill, tried to help them escape. They even tried to bribe a French policeman. Later, Suttill tried again, but it was a trap. Instead of the sisters, German agents showed up, and Suttill had to flee.
Germaine and Madeleine were later moved from Fresnes to other camps, including Romainville and Compiègne.
Deportation and Sacrifice
Finally, Germaine and Madeleine were sent to the Ravensbrück concentration camp in Germany, arriving on April 1, 1944. This was a very harsh camp where many people suffered.
Sadly, Germaine Tambour died at Ravensbrück on March 2, 1945. Her sister Madeleine died just two days later, on March 4, 1945. They both gave their lives fighting for freedom.
Remembering Germaine Tambour
A special plaque is placed on the building at 38, avenue de Suffren in Paris. It honors Germaine Tambour, her sister Madeleine, and Marie-Louise Monnet, remembering their bravery and sacrifice.
Awards
- Medal of the French Resistance (awarded after her death on March 11, 1947)
