Bernard Karsenty
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Bernard Karsenty | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 14, 1920 |
| Died | January 10, 2007 (aged 86) Puteaux, France |
| Branch |  France |
| Unit | Free France |
| Commands | Algiers putsch of 1942 |
| Conflicts | Second World War |
| Awards | Médaille de la Résistance |
Bernard Karsenty (14 June 1920 in Oran, French Algeria – 10 January 2007 in Puteaux, France), was a member of the French Resistance during World War II.[1] He was a leader of the Algiers putsch of 1942.[2]
He spent his youth in Paris, and then entered the cours Simon, one of Paris' most prestigious theatrical institutions, to become an actor. As a soldier in the French Army, he was defeated at Marseilles in June 1940, where he took heed of General Charles de Gaulle's Appeal of 18 June.
Entry into Resistance
He went to North Africa in November 1941, with the hope of being able to get to Gibraltar from there so he could rejoin the allied forces. However, on the spot, he joined a group of patriot Gaullists created by his cousins José Aboulker and Roger Carcassonne, then extended to certain people by Henri d'Astier de la Vigerie. A member of this very clandestine network, Karsenty recruited resistance members, sought weapons and endeavoured to convince fellow Vichy soldiers to join a possible allied invasion.
Cherchell
He was one of the first organisers of the Cherchell meeting between resistance members and representatives of U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, where he represented the resistance groups of Algiers. He stayed until the end, doing what was necessary, in spite of a wild sea, for putting afloat the kayak of General Clark, an associate of Eisenhower, allowing him to join his submarine before daybreak.