Patriots of France

The pamphlet recounts the events of October 19-22 in Chateaubriant, where 27 French workers were executed by the Germans in retaliation of a partisan attack. The account describes the situation in the camp of Chateaubriant, highlighting the fact that the victims were selected for execution because they were communists. In addition, the pamphlet includes a reprint of the song “Le Chant du Depart”, which was sung by the victims. The narrative then delves into the details of the last hours, the transport of the condemned through the village singing the Marseillaise, and their execution. Finally, a short biography of each of the victims is provided. The second part focuses on the life and death of Pierre Semard, an influential figure in the French Communist Party and General Secretary of the French Federation of Railwaymen.

An account of the martyrdom of twenty-seven French working men at Chateaubriant, Oct. 22nd, 1941 / by an unnamed Frenchman -- The execution and victory of Pierre Semard, Secretary of the French Railwaymen's Union / by André Marty.