Is it possible for a street to embody courage and intellect? Here on Rue Germaine et Roger Lefèvre in Paray-Vieille-Poste it does. This street bears the names of two remarkable individuals. Let’s discover their story.
Rue Germaine et Roger Lefèvre finds itself nestled in Paray-Vieille-Poste. This is a commune in the Essonne department of France. Essonne itself is part of the Île-de-France region. The street’s name echoes with significance. It serves as a lasting tribute.
Roger Lefèvre was more than just a name. He was a professor of philosophy. He taught with passion. Lefèvre was also a deputy of the Front Populaire. His words held weight. He had the soul of a writer. Yet he remained intensely private. He rarely spoke of his personal life. This included his marriage and family. His writing style was distinct. It blended epic and lyrical elements.
His book “Raz-de-Marée, Visions de guerre” offers insight. It avoids specific names and dates. However historical events confirm its accuracy.
In May 1940 Lefèvre was a Captain in the 122nd Infantry Regiment. His war began at the train station in Braine-le-Comte. German planes strafed the area. They were under immediate pressure.
The next day brought the unit’s first casualty in Séneffe. A soldier was killed by a bomb. He lay on the grass. He stared at the clear sky. Panic gripped the population. They fled. Lefèvre’s men dug trenches. They defended the Charleroi canal. The French troops found themselves facing a grim reality. They lacked the strength to withstand the coming assault.
On May 17th the German attack began. Lefèvre’s battalion retreated. They were isolated and pursued. Their commander fell in an ambush. Lefèvre a captain then took command.
They passed through Écaussines and Mons. They retreated into France. They reached Valenciennes only to find the Germans waiting. A spirit of solidarity emerged amidst the chaos. They aimed to reach the sea. They wanted to escape encirclement and reach Great Britain.
For ten days they fought. They struggled towards the coast. They passed through Armentières. They arrived too late in Bailleul. The enemy had cut off their passage. They reached Bray-Dunes and the sea.
Five days and nights they waited near Dunkirk. German attacks persisted. The next day they saw a cemetery of abandoned equipment. Bitter rumors circulated. Not everyone could be saved.
On May 31st Lefèvre found himself near Petite Synthe. He looked disheveled. He inspected a hamlet. Accused of being a spy he was almost arrested. A general intervened. He saved Lefèvre from overzealous cooks.
They reached an area near Capelle. They found abandoned supplies. German planes bombed them. Ten French soldiers died. They marched towards Dunkirk. The city burned.
On June 3rd they entered Dunkirk. The city was devastated. They found civilians huddled in shelters. Lefèvre’s battalion had lost all hope of escape. A fishing boat appeared. They boarded. They sailed for Dover.
Arriving in England they were greeted warmly. They received food and rest. Lefèvre returned to France. He joined the Maquis in 1943. He became a leader. He was wounded in action.
His vote for Pétain damaged his political career. He became a philosophy scholar. He specialized in Descartes.
Rue Germaine et Roger Lefèvre connects us. It connects us to a story of courage. It connects us to a story of resilience. It connects us to a story of intellectual strength. The street is more than just an address. It is a reminder of France’s history.