How many stories of bravery echo within these Parisian streets? This is the Georges Piron Plaque. It commemorates a man of courage and dedication. Georges Piron’s story is one of resistance during World War II.
The Georges Piron Plaque marks a spot with deep historical meaning. It is placed on the facade of the Fondation de la France Libre. The plaque honors Georges Piron. He was president of the Belgian veterans 1914-1918. He lived nearby.
Georges Piron was born in Laeken Belgium in 1888. He volunteered for the French Army during World War I. Piron was a member of the Saint-Jacques network. He was a founder of la chaine Franco-Belge. This became the Orion network.
In 1940, Piron helped create the Franco-Belge network with Henri d’Astier de la Vigerie. This network gathered military intelligence. They operated in Paris and northern France. Piron also worked within the Boulard sub-network. He provided vital information to England. This included Nazi troop movements and activities.
The Georges Piron Plaque reminds us of his important role. Piron’s network began to collapse in 1941. A Nazi collaborator betrayed him. Piron was arrested on October 9 1941.
He was transported to Germany under the Nacht und Nebel directive. He was sentenced to death. On October 15 1943, Georges Piron was decapitated in Cologne.
The Georges Piron Plaque is not the only memorial for him. Piron was posthumously awarded several honors. These include the Croix de Guerre and the Mèdaille de la Rèsistance. He is also commemorated on the war memorial in Fleurines. He has a stone at Père-Lachaise cemetery too.
When you look at the Georges Piron Plaque remember his bravery. Piron’s dedication to freedom remains an inspiration.