Cotte sawmill

A sawmill here belonging to Paul Cotte, aged 43 in 1944, worked the wood from the surrounding forests. On July 3 Paul received a phone call around noon warning him that a German convoy was about to arrive by road from St Michel-les-Portes. He lost no time passing on the news to his Maquis neighbours in Font Rousse. Jean Beschet, head of the camp, decided to set up an ambush immediately at the Col de l’Allimas pass. At dawn on July 21, 1944, during the widespread German offensive against the Vercors, the Cotte sawmill was occupied and used as shelter for a command post. The owner of the sawmill was taken hostage together with 10 other men from the surrounding area. They were forced to carry heavy loads for the enemy during the assault on the Pas de la Selle. The owner was set free on July 24 at the same time as two other hostages.