Marc Bloch

​​Marc Bloch, born on July 6, 1886, in Lyon, France, was a historian whose life took a pivotal turn during World War II. Known for co-founding the Annales School, which transformed historical study, Bloch had already established himself as a leading academic in medieval and economic history. However, the German occupation of France and the Vichy regime’s antisemitic laws forced him to leave his position at the Sorbonne in 1940. As a Jewish intellectual, Bloch faced discrimination but remained steadfast in his commitment to France, writing in The Strange Defeat: “I was born a Jew... but I die a Frenchman.” 

​During the war, Bloch refused to accept a passive role. In 1943, he joined the French Resistance, operating under the alias “Narbonne”. Initially tasked with small assignments like delivering messages, his role grew to include organizing networks, gathering intelligence, and preparing plans for armed resistance. Despite his age and physical limitations, Bloch contributed significantly to Resistance activities in the Rhône-Alpes region. His organizational skills and methodical thinking earned the respect of younger fighters. 

​On June 8, 1944, Bloch was arrested by the Gestapo (German Secret State Police, German: Geheime Staatspolizei) in Lyon. Taken to Montluc prison, he endured severe torture but revealed nothing about the Resistance. Alongside 27 others, he was executed on June 16, 1944, at Saint-Didier-de-Formans. He reportedly faced his death with calm determination, reflecting the principles that guided his life. 

​While his time in the Résistance was brief, Bloch’s involvement demonstrated his deep sense of duty. His wartime writings, particularly The Strange Defeat, critiqued French leadership's and society's failures during the war, providing relevant insights. 

​Bloch’s legacy as a historian and resistance fighter has gained recognition. On November 23, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his reburial in the Panthéon, honoring his dual contributions to intellectual life and the fight for freedom during one of France’s darkest periods.