Kerfany-les-Pins Things to Do

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Having discovered the memorials at the top of the beach a walk through the woods revealed the tragic history behind this sunny spot where children and their families now come to play.

In July 1944 20 members of the French Resistance and an English parachutist were rounded up on the beach by the occupying German forces before being led up to the cliff side where they were shot.

Their bodies were thrown into roughly dug pits, five in each one.

Subsequently, after the area was eventually liberated, the Mayor of Moelan sur Mer arranged for the removal of the bodies for proper burial.

The Pits are now marked with Flagged Stones without names.

The names of the Resistance Members who died are on the wayside Memorial.

We did not discover even a clue as to the identity of the English man, nor is he mentioned in the following extract from Moelan Tourist Information.

"Ce monument aux morts est dédié aux résistants fusillés par les forces d’occupations en juillet 1944 dans la pinède. Il est construit grâce à une souscription des Moëlanais qui reçoivent à cette occasion une carte postale du projet de l’édifice. A l’origine une lanterne doit pendre place dans la tour qui sur monte le socle. Mais sa présence est refusée par les autorités maritimes car son éclairage risque de perturber la fonction du phare de port manech, situé de l’autre coté des estuaires du belon et de l’aven."