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Day: 3 September 2022

3 September 1944: Monaco is Liberated!

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/09/2022

These are the moments that lead up to the Liberation of Monaco, 78 years ago on this day, 3rd September.  

It is 15th August 1944 and the allies have just land in Provence, southern France. The Gestapo react by carrying out executions. 25 people – 23 resistance fighters and two collaborators – are shot by the Nazis in the Ariane district of Nice, among them are René Borghini, Secretary General of the National Council of Monaco, and Esther Poggio, his liaison officer, who were arrested in Monaco in July.

In response, resistance fighters initiate the battle of Peille, which lasts five days. Battles are also taking place at Férion and Levens.

For 19 days, Allied fighter planes pound the coast; the inhabitants and buildings of Monaco are hit hard. The Gestapo are angry and food is in short supply.

The Liberation Committee launches an appeal to the people of Nice. The CGT prepares workers to strike and occupy strategic positions. On August 28th, the people of Nice rise up and liberate the city.

During the night of 22nd and 23rd August, Beausoleil is bombarded. Armoured convoys pass through Monaco, retreating. On the 24th, a bomb explodes and on the 26th, 14 German boats anchor in Monegasque territorial waters, raising fears of a bombardment which inevitably takes place during the night.

On the 27th, seven planes drop bombs on the population, killing several.

Resistance fighters and French Forces stem an enemy retreat, preventing a possible gathering in mountains surrounding Monaco.

On the 30th, the last column of German infantry retreat and, on the 31st, a violent battle among warships takes place.

The night of 2nd September is apocalyptic. A terrifying storm breaks out, and naval guns fire on Mont Agel and La Turbie. The Franc Tireurs Partisans – a French armed resistance organistion, the 509th US Infantry Regiment, and fire from the Edgard Quinet cruiser force the enemy to raise their arms in defeat.

It’s early 3rd September 1944. There are no German soldiers on the streets of Monaco or Beausoleil. Resistance fighters show themselves. The Americans arrive. At 2 pm, a large rally takes place on Place de la Crémaillère in La Turbie with ecstatic crowds.

Every year since, on 3rd September, authorities and citizens in Monaco gather together to remember the men and women who refused to suffer under oppression and fought back, at great risk to their own lives, for everyone else to live freely. Various remembrance ceremonies are held through the Principality, including at the Monaco Cemetery and the War Memorial.

 

 

Photo featured at the Exhibition of the Liberation at the CHM, Beausoleil

 

 

 

 

ASM preview: “A win against Nice can launch our season”

by: Luke Entwistle
03/09/2022

AS Monaco head into the Côte d’Azur derby against Nice in need of a win, not just for tribal pride, but also to close the growing gap between themselves and the European-chasing competition.

Both Monaco and Nice have endured difficult starts to the season, and sit 16th and 15th respectively, tied on five points and separated only by goal difference. However, as manager Philippe Clement pointed out in Friday’s pre-match press conference, the Principality haven’t had an easy run.

“Our calendar was the most difficult of any team in France,” said the Belgian coach. The side have already had tough fixtures against four of last season’s top eight in the first five days. However, they come into the derby clash on the back of a surprising defeat against Troyes. The notable extenuating circumstance in that fixture is the refereeing performance, which elicited cries of indignation from within the club. Consequently, it is nowhere near time to press the panic button, and Clement sought to place the recent run of form into its context.

Asked about the eight-point gap to PSG, Clement says it is much too early to start drawing up any kind of report. “There are still 33 matches. You can do a review after the first half of the season, when everyone has played everyone else, but not now.”

Nonetheless, the club are looking to turn the page. Clement revealed that he sensed disappointment within the group as recently as yesterday, but he added, “Sunday is another match.”

Monaco left-back Caio Henrique told Monaco Life that the derby could represent a turning point for the side. “I think that the team has the correct mentality for this match. We know the importance of the game. I think if we win, it can set us on a run of victories, and launch our season because winning a classic against your rival can give you a good feeling.”

Monaco come up against a Nice side, who have been unpredictable in the opening gameweeks of the season. The club have seen massive upheaval during the summer break, losing their manager, sporting director, as well as reconstructing the team itself. Clement described Lucien Favre’s Nice as “a team in transition,” although he added that they remain a team with “European ambitions,” just like Monaco.

Clement will have almost a full-strength squad to pick from. He will be without Kevin Volland, who is likely to be sidelined for around a month, as well as Myron Boadu, who despite returning to training with the ball at his feet, is not yet ready to feature. Clement’s side may come up against a familiar face in the shape of Sofiane Diop, who only joined Les Aiglons from Monaco a matter of days ago, whilst a the re-formed Gaëtan Laborde-Andy Delort duo could pose Monaco’s back line issues, which will be without the suspended Guillermo Maripán.

Points and regional pride are up for grabs at the Allianz Riviera on Sunday, as both sides look to “launch” their stuttering seasons.

 

 

 

Photo of Caio Henrique by Monaco Life