Landing on the beaches of Normandy on 6 June 1944, René de Naurois served as one of the 177 members of the Kieffer Commandos. His trajectory spanned a century of profound historical change, encompassing roles as a dedicated Catholic chaplain, a committed resistance fighter, and a professional ornithologist specializing in the ecosystems of West Africa.
Resistance and Wartime Service
Born in 1906 within the 9th arrondissement of Paris, Naurois utilized his position to aid those persecuted during the Second World War. Operating within occupied France, he coordinated the escape of Jewish individuals across borders into Switzerland and Spain. To evade capture, he navigated a route through Vichy territory, Barcelona, and Gibraltar before reaching Liverpool. His wartime contributions were officially acknowledged through the Croix de guerre 1939–1945, the Military Cross, and his appointment as a Companion of the Liberation.
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Following the conclusion of hostilities, Naurois shifted his focus to scientific inquiry, specifically the study of bird populations along the western African coastline. He conducted field research ranging from Cape Barbas in the Spanish Sahara to the borders of the Republic of Guinea. In 1969, at the age of 63, he successfully defended his doctoral thesis concerning the breeding cycles of these avian species. His expertise later informed his 1994 publication, Les oiseaux des iles du Golfe de Guinee: Sao Tome, Prince et Annobon.
Recognition and Later Life
Naurois balanced his scientific career with his duties as a priest, having been employed by the Catholic University of Toulouse. In 1988, he received the title of Righteous Among the Nations for his efforts during the Holocaust. He later documented his experiences in his 2004 memoir, Aumônier de la France Libre. Upon his death in 2006 at Brunoy, he was buried at the Ranville Churchyard, holding the rank of Commander of the Legion of Honour.
Fast facts
- Born: 1906, 9th arrondissement of Paris
- Died: 2006, Brunoy
- Citizenship: France
- Religious affiliation: Latin Church
- Primary occupations: Ornithologist, Catholic priest, resistance fighter
- Key award: Righteous Among the Nations (1988)
- Military service: Kieffer Commandos
- Burial site: Ranville Churchyard
Questions readers ask
What specific award did he receive for his role in the Holocaust?
He was recognized as Righteous Among the Nations in 1988.
When did he complete his doctoral studies?
He defended his doctoral thesis in 1969 at the age of 63.
Achievements
- Commander of the Legion of Honour
- Righteous Among the Nations — 1988
- Worked as botanist, ornithologist and naturalist
