Born in
Longwy,
Meurthe-et-Moselle, Aubry was an Alumnus of the École supérieure de journalisme de Lille (Lille Graduate School of Journalism) (6th promotion), and lieutenant in the colonial infantry, he was on leave since the October 1940 armistice. Having rejoined his family in
Morlaix, he was active in a resistance group of
Rennes. In the intention to enter
Great Britain, he got to
Marseille where he met Maurice Chevance, who convinced to join the small Mouvement de Libération Nationale (National Liberation Movement) of
Henri Frenay and
Berty Albrecht. The lieutenant participated in the MLN in the South zone: Deputy of Chevance, military leader of the region R2 (Marseille), alongside Jacques Baumel, then inspector of the
Secret Army, and finally chief of staff of
Charles Delestraint. On 21 June 1943 at
Caluire-et-Cuire, Aubry was arrested by the team of
Klaus Barbie in the house of Dr. Frédéric Dugoujon, along with
Jean Moulin,
Raymond Aubrac,
André Lassagne,
René Hardy, Albert Lacaze, Émile Schwarzfeld and Bruno Larat. Hardy and Aubrac escaped. Jean Moulin was interrogated and tortured, dying from his injuries. Colonel Schwarzfeld and Captain Larat died at the camp. André Lassagne returned from deportation. Imprisoned in
Lyon, Aubry was beaten and was subject to several mock executions. Transferred to
Paris, he was released 12 December 1943. Colonel Lacaze and Dr. Dugoujon were released January 17, 1944. Some resistance members has speculated that it was Aubry who broke down under torture and gave Moulin's name to Barbie. At the
Libération of France, Aubry was appointed Director in the Ministry of Prisoners, Deportees and Refugees by
Henri Frenay. In 1947 and 1954, he testified at the trials of Hardy. Challenged by the memories of Baumel and Bourdet, he was defended by his former boss, Chevance.
Bibliography • • • • • •
External links • Thèse de doctorat d'histoire de François-Yves Guillin, ''Le Général Delestraint, Premier Chef de l'Armée Secrète
, en ligne in extenso'' ==References==