Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (June 17, 1944)
Special Communiqué No. 1
Since the 6th June, 1944, the Army of the French Forces of the Interior has increased both in size and in the scope of its activities. This army has undertaken a large plan of sabotage which includes in part the paralyzing of rail and road traffic and the interruption of telegraph and telephone communications.
In the majority of cases, their objectives have been attained.
The destruction of railways has been most effective. Bridges have been destroyed, derailment effected and at least 70 locomotives have been sabotaged.
It is reported that both road and rail traffic is completely stopped in the Valley of the RHÔNE.
Canals have not been spared. One has been damaged, one cut and another has been put out of action. Four consecutive locks of another have been destroyed.
Subterranean cables have been cut in many places, and, although some were well defended, they have been attacked and destroyed.
Many acts of sabotage have been carried out against transformer stations.
It is neither possible nor desirable to enumerate all of the many effective acts of destruction which have been carried out. However, these multiple and simultaneous acts of sabotage, coordinated with the Allied air effort, have delayed considerably the movement of German reserves to the combat zone.
Direct action also has been taken against the enemy. The Marquis are reported to have taken 300 prisoners. German garrisons have been attacked. In some areas, villages have been occupied. Street fighting has occurred elsewhere. Enemy detachments have been destroyed.
Guerrilla operations against the enemy are in full swing and in some areas the Army of the French Forces of the Interior are in full control.
At the end of the first week of operations on the shores of FRANCE, the Army of the French Forces of the Interior has, with its British and American comrades, played its assigned role in the Battle of Liberation.