Oloron Sainte-Marie train station

Refusing to participate in the STO, René Vignau-Loustau took the train from Tarbes to Sarrance, where he had been told he could find smugglers who would help him reach Spain. On the train between Pau and Oloron, a German policeman entered his compartment.

Here is his testimony :

"He looked at me with a stern expression and addressed me in very broken French:

'Check your papers, train tickets, luggage!

Without a word, I complied. He slowly examined the documents I handed him and searched my suitcase. He looked at me again intently.

 'What are you doing in Sarrance?

Surprised, I fortunately had a quick reflex. Without hesitation, without lowering my eyes, I replied calmly:

'I'm going to visit my elderly uncle to help him with his work on the farm and bring food back to Tarbes.

The soldier examined me again, thought for a moment, seemed to hesitate... I was relieved to see him heading toward the train car corridor. But suddenly, he turned around and addressed me again, brutally:

“Your uncle's name?”

Without hesitation, I said the first name that came to mind and held his gaze. He thought again, gave a kind of contemptuous sneer, then turned away for good.

René Vignau-Loustau, De l’arrestation au camp de concentration, Mémoires de guerre, des béarnais sur tous les fronts 1939-1945, published by Maison du Patrimoine, Oloron Sainte-Marie 1995.