"Following these events (the roundup and reprisals) the mistrust of the people of Loches towards the occupiers increased. At the national level, since the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944, the Germans fell back towards the Eastern Front. As French towns were progressively liberated, Loches nutured the hope that the occupation would end on their territory.
During the night of 15-16 August 1944 the German soldiers evacuated their camp at Tivoli where they had been installed since 23 July, after having noisily destroyed their stocks of ammunition and startling all the nearby inhabitants. The FTPF took charge the morning of 16 August and secured the former German camp. The news of the departure of the Germans was picked up by Captain Lecoz mid-afternoon. He was hanging out at Chanceaux with his men and decided to change the plan by entering triumphantly into Loches with his maquisards. Loches seemed to be liberated and the people of Loches acclaimed him as the liberator of their town.
From 16 August Lecoz's men engaged in hunting collaborators, proven or not. Those who could have helped the enemy were gathered together in Place de Verdun in front of everyone with brutality. A patriotic ceremony was organised to congratulate the Resistants. A new town organisational structure was put in place. A 'Liberation Committee' was created by the Resistance commanders, who designated Raymond Mallet as mayor and sous-préfet. The people of Loches turned towards the future and the post-War."
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This poster is part of an exhibition in the Chancellerie on 'Loches in 1944' https://www.ville-loches.fr/expositions-article-3-10-56.html
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