COMPLICATED FRENCH SPY SYSTEM

Southland Times, Issue 25747, 10 August 1945, Page 5

COMPLICATED FRENCH SPY SYSTEM

Petain Claimed To Have Found Funds

(Rec. 7 p.m.) PARIS, August 8. Petain found funds for a complicated spy system which the French Air Ministry organized to send information to Britain, the court was told at the Petain trial today. General Jean Bergeret, the Vichy Air Minister, who said fliis in his evidence, added that the spy organization was in touch with the British intelligence service. Petain refused the use of the French fighter force in the defence of the Paris area against British bombers and dismissed two collaborationists who sought to recruit French pilots to fight for the Germans. General Bergeret admitted decorating .pilots who had fought against the British in Syria, but denied any responsibility for the tactical use of the air force therer

Admiral Henri Blehaut, Vichy Minister of the Navy and Colonies, said in his evidence that when the Allies overran France last year Petain received a German ultimatum to leave Vichy for

Belfort. A German general insisted that if Petain refused he had means of forcing him to go. A stormy scene resulted, Petain and his entourage eventually being taken by force. Petain left Belfort for Germany in similar circumstances. Witness declared that Petain’s name was used by the Germans without his knowledge to give the impression that the French Government was functioning in Germany. The next witness for the defence, General Campet, Petain’s secretary from 1941 to 1943, said that Petain foresaw the Allied victory and did all he could to draw closer to the Allies. Petain did much for prisoners of war and received many letters of thanks from prisoners. The hearing was adjourned.