History of Sorts

The Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup (the Vélodrome d’Hiver roundup), known in French as “Rafle du Vel’ d’Hiv,” was a mass arrest of Jews in Paris by the French police under the orders of the Nazi German authorities during World War II. This event took place on July 16 and 17, 1942, and is one of the most tragic episodes of the Holocaust in France.

French police rather than German forces carried out the operation. Approximately 13,150 Jews, including about 4,000 children, were arrested during these two days. Initially, they held the arrested at the Vélodrome d’Hiver (Winter Velodrome), an indoor cycling track in Paris.

Théophile Larue was a French policeman during World War II who was honored by Yad Vashem as one of the Righteous Among the Nations. This title is an award to the non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. Théophile Larue’s courageous actions during the German occupation of France exemplify the bravery and moral fortitude recognized by this prestigious award.

Many wartime French authorities and police played an active role in the deportations, but one Paris policeman, Théophile Larue, took a stand. He warned his Jewish neighbors, the Lictensztajns, of the upcoming “Vél d’Hiv” roundup. He arranged for the family to escape to southern France and obtain false papers.

Following the roundup and arrest of the Jews from Paris and its vicinity, the police crowded them into the Vel’ d’Hiv sports arena.

Space was scarce, and circumstances were appalling, with no arrangements for food, water, or sanitary facilities.

After five days, the Jews incarcerated at the Vélodrome d’Hiver—were transferred to other transit camps outside Paris. At the end of July, the remaining adults were separated from their children and deported to Auschwitz. Over 3,000 children remained interned or orphaned until they were deported to Auschwitz as well.

The Lictensztajns were saved by one man who chose to uphold his position and protect all citizens, but unfortunately, that was not the fate of many.

Théophile Larue, Madeleine Théophile Larue (b.1903), a policeman, lived with his wife, Madeleine, and daughter, Monique, in an apartment building in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. In March 1941, the Larues offered their hospitality to Léon Osman, who thus managed to avoid being sent to the Pithiviers camp. He remained under their care until July 1942, when he was able to escape to the south of France. Osman was on the Gestapo’s list of wanted people; giving shelter to such a person was a grave offense and carried a heavy punishment.

On July 15, 1942, Larue gave advanced warning of the planned large-scale roundup of Jews that was to start the next day to eight Jewish families who lived in his building, thus allowing them a chance to flee and find refuge. The Larue couple sheltered Chuma Brand and her daughter Fanny in their apartment for a week in July 1942. Then Théophile accompanied them to the train station in his uniform so as to facilitate their flight to the unoccupied zone. In November 1942, Simon Glicensztajn, also on the Gestapo’s list, found refuge in the Larues’ home for a few days. Moreover, one night, Larue broke into the police-sealed apartment of Glicensztajn’s sister, Laja Tobjasz, to help remove a stock of merchandise that would provide the family with a livelihood. Once, when Mrs. Tobjasz returned to Paris from southern France, she was arrested and taken to the prefecture. When Larue heard this, he donned his uniform, went to the prefecture, and asked to speak to the prefect. He said that Mrs. Tobjasz was Catholic and his daughter’s godmother. Although skeptical, the prefect must have had a change of heart because he released her into Larue’s custody. Théophile Larue believed that it was his duty as a man of honor and one who had respect for human values to help people in need, even at the risk of putting his family in harm’s way. As a member of the French Resistance, Officer Larue took part in the battle for the liberation of Paris. After the liberation, the Larues continued to be in touch with the families of those they rescued. On September 23, 2007, Yad Vashem recognized Théophile and Madeleine Larue as Righteous Among the Nations.

Sources

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/photo/theophile-larue

https://collections.yadvashem.org/en/righteous/5770271

https://www.france24.com/en/20170712-vel-dhiv-roundup-holocaust-france-survivor-remembers-world-war

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-19012773