He grew up near Conleau, in Vannes, and attended the Paul-Bert school. Born in Keryado (Lorient) in 1909, François Fromentin enlisted in 1928, without waiting for the age required for his military service, in the 35th artillery regiment, garrisoned in Vannes. When war was declared in 1939, he was an adjutant, and took part in the Battle of France, in an attempt to counter the German invasion. He was taken prisoner in 1940, transferred to Germany where the Germans made him work on farms to compensate for the absence of farmers, who had gone to war. He owes his release to tragic circumstances: the need to take care of his children after the death of his wife.
Fight against the Germans of Saint-Nazaire
On his return to Morbihan in October 1943, François Fromentin began by hiding a large stock of weapons, ammunition and explosives for the Resistance. He then joined the maquis and the FFI in June 1944, and took part in the Liberation battles in the Vannes region. In September 1944, he was assigned to the Pointe du Moustoir, between Muzillac and Arzal, at the mouth of the Vilaine. On September 14, he died with his weapons in his hands, while he and his men were trying to counter an attempted landing by several hundred German soldiers who had come up from the Saint-Nazaire pocket, which included Pénestin, opposite Muzillac, probably to seek supplies. A street is dedicated to him in Vannes, north of Kercado, which links Rue du Rumor to Rue Winston Churchill. But he has not yet given his name to a street in Muzillac.
