Michelle Corjon, a resistance fighter, was awarded France’s Croix de Guerre and the silver medal for French Resistance. She was the youngest member ever to serve in the French resistance beginning at age 11 in 1943.
Like Zosia in IW Episode 6, she was her father’s courier and liaison agent. Michelle Corjon was arrested with her parents and interrogated by the Gestapo about their resistance activities. When she did not disclose any information, she was imprisoned in Praslins prison. Her parents were sent to Germany. She would have been deported as well but her youthfulness saved her. The SS did not believe that a young woman could be a resistance fighter, nor did they believe her to be a significant threat. However, when released she continued on with her resistance work warning others of the Gestapo’s infiltration. Also, she destroyed important papers which documented the cell’s activities. For more information about other women who fought in France, search the IW Articles or listen to IW Episodes 4 and 7.
Special thanks to Martine Boucard for bringing the story of Michelle Corjon to my attention.
Red Melita
This is indeed a wonderful find.
My mother Valerie May Piechowski (nee Barker) communicated with Michelle Corjon during the war.
A pen friend arrangement was organised by Valerie’s school and her pen friend was Michelle.
My mother was reminiscing just yesterday about her pen friend. She recalled her name, address, and the fact that she was awarded the Croix de Guerre . A sad memory for my mother is that she had a photograph of Michelle receiving the medal but it was borrowed and never returned to her. I can remember the photograph and it is most unfortunate that it is gone.
Valerie was thrilled when I discovered this information on the Internet. She was unaware that Michelle’s parents were arrested. She recalled that Michelle’s father had some type of factory. She also recalled that Michelle contracted Tuberculosis and was sent to Switzerland for recuperation.
If there is any information about Michelle’s adult life , Valerie would appreciate news of her and her family.
Thank you, Sharney, for your comments. I’ve heard of other pen friend stories and the meaningfulness of them. So wonderful that your mother remembers their communications, photos, and Michelle Corjon’s story. I don’t have any more information than what was in the posting however, if I come across more, I’ll post it here for you. Best wishes to you and Valerie. Diane