this former mayor surrendered to the Nazis to save hostages

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Mayor of Vitré (Ille-et-Vilaine) from 1939 to 1959, deputy then senator et president of the general council from Ille-et-Vilaine, Marcel Rupied is one of the illustrious Vitreans who populate the Saint-Martin cemetery.

This professional notary marked his contemporaries with his courage, Liberation.

His only name on the list of those shot

“He was really keen to preserve his fellow citizens,” recalls Véronique Kahnresponsible for the public at the heritage department of the city of Vitré.

During the occupation, the Nazis had set up their local Kommandantur within the Château de Vitré.

After the Landing in Normandy and an attack having cost the lives of Nazis, the Gestapo demands reprisals. The mayor of Vitré is asked to draw up a list of hostages to be shot. Marcel Rupied will only indicatea name on the list, his.

Re-elected mayor in 1945

“He was arrested then taken to Rennes, where he was to be shot,” continues Véronique Kahn. There liberation of Rennes in August 1944 he avoided the firing squad.

“In the meantime, the mayor of Vitré was an American (for eight days, Editor's note)”: Robert A.Burns, American paratrooper captured by Nazi soldiers in Normandy, saved thanks to the Vitré resistance network led by René Salmon.

Marcel Rupied will officially be re-elected mayor from Vitré in May [1945

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