Neuville-sur-Ain

Stone marker in memory of  the camp at Thol. In October 1940, after France was invaded, the Autun Military Prepatory School moved to Valence, only to be ousted in June 1943, when the Wehrmacht requisitioned the barracks. On October 20, 1943, the army children reached the camp at Thol, in Ain between Pont d'Ain and Neuville. The school enrolled some 475 youngsters between 15 and 19 years of age living and studying in precarious conditions. With encouragement from Masini, in touch with pupils belonging to the FUJP (Forces Unies de la Jeunesse Patriotique: United Youth Patriots Forces), a number of pupils that had been impressed by the demonstrations in Oyonnax on November 11, 1943 as well as actions by the maquis wanted to join the maquis. After numerous reversals, they were enlisted in the Southern Group under the command of Captain Girousse, known as "Chabot". The command of their encampment was entrusted to Lieutenant Signori, called "Mazaud". The Military School at the Thol camp was awarded the Resistance Medal for actions by pupils at the side of the maquis; their valor particularly stood out during the attack on the Ambérieu rail station on June 6, 1944, at Neuville on Jluy 11, and their participation in combat during the liberation of Ain at Pont de Chazay, la Valbonne and Meximieux.