OSS Jedburghs: Team Augustus

Rapport de la fin tragique de la team Augustus

--- Page 1 ---

Fighting French Forces
Bureau of Air Operations
Region A

Mission "Augustus"



--- Page 2 ---
Fighting French Forces
Air Operations Bureau
North-Aisne Zone
South Zone Commander: Lt. Leiguen

Report
On the tragic end of the mission codenamed "Augustus"

This mission—comprising three men: French Captain Jean Delviche, an American major (John Bonsall), and American radio NCO Roger Côté—parachuted on August 16 onto the "Fable" drop zone of the BOA (Air Operations Bureau) in the northern Aisne sector, collaborating closely with the latter until August 28, 1944.

After operating for a time with the commander of the northern sector, the team moved down to the Bateau-Bluery-Loistons area.

The journey to the southern part of the Aisne sector proceeded normally via a truck belonging to Gaston Costeaux (a PON member from Braine). The mission was hosted at Rugny by Mr. Mahieu, a farmer from Aucy-Saint-Restitue, staying there from August 21 to 28 inclusive. Security was provided by the team led by Lt. Leiguen (alias "Doctor André"), commander of the A5 South Zone.

The rapid Allied advance prompted Captain August to head back north to see the mission through to completion; however, their transport truck became isolated within a column of American tanks, making it impossible to continue the journey in that vehicle. Making their presence known, the mission members proposed pursuing their objective by hitching a ride on a tank that was to break through the lines and drop them off on the other side. Departure was set for Wednesday, August 28. They proceeded that day (August 28) with the American tanks, instructing us to return their gear to Rugny. They returned the following day, and that evening, the truck transported them to Loistons, from where they were scheduled to depart on Wednesday.

The Allies had already reached Laon. The "Augustus" team traveled there in an American vehicle.



--- Page 3 ---

At 9:09 p.m., they arrived north of the station at the home of Mr. Magnien—a farmer well known to Captain Delviche—and asked for a vehicle to cross the lines. They had dinner and set off around 9:30 p.m. in a German horse-drawn wagon (a vehicle abandoned by the Germans that very day). Mr. Magnien accompanied them to show them the way, as Auguste wanted to avoid the main roads. After seeing them off, the farmer returned home. The mission was headed for Mr. Magnien’s son-in-law’s place in Barenton-sur-Serre. What happened next?

Around 10:15 p.m., a torrential rain began to fall, reducing visibility to almost zero in the dark night and making it harder to hear approaching sounds.

Upon reaching the main road to Barenton-sur-Serre, they encountered—not merely spotted, as the sketch might suggest—two German tanks; they were likely stopped by soldiers and held at gunpoint while others searched the vehicle. Upon discovering the equipment, the soldiers reacted swiftly; around 10:45 p.m., locals heard seven gunshots—first two, followed shortly by five in quick succession. The bodies of the officers (1 and 2) lay side by side with their arms raised; the radio operator (3) was found a dozen meters away, face and arm pressed against the ground (he had likely tried to escape). All three bore severe head wounds. The tanks moved on around 11:15 p.m.



According to initial reports, they were likely killed right there; nothing remained inside the vehicle, which was returned to Magniens. It was through a stroke of luck—and thanks to Mr. Mahieu, who alerted Dr. Lejeune’s team—that we finally managed to trace the "Auguste" mission and thus pay tribute to these men, who deserved so much better.

Barenton-sur-Serre

Restitus, October 1, 1944
Warrant Officer to Zone Chief St Jean: François Fortier (E. Fortier)

Signed: The assistant to the Zone Chief Jean Fourier