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Sochaux () is a commune in the Doubs department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in eastern France.
"On 15/16 July 1943, the R.A.F. sent 165 Halifax bombers to attack the Peugeot motor factory; five were lost. 750 tons of high explosive were dropped. The outcome of this raid illustrated again the difficulties of hitting relatively small targets in the occupied countries and the danger to surrounding civilians. The night was clear, the target was only lightly defended and the attack altitude was 6,000 to 10,000 ft, but the centre of the group of markers dropped by the Pathfinder crews of 35 Squadron was 700 yards beyond the factory. The factory was classed as 5 per cent damaged; the production was normal immediately after the raid." 125 residents were killed and 260 were seriously injured. Over 100 houses were destroyed, and 400 more were badly damaged. When this news reached London, the R.A.F. prepared to send another raid.
However, a British S.O.E. agent, Harry Ree, telephoned the owner, Rodolphe Peugeot, and explained that sabotage would be far more effective, and would leave the structures undamaged. The owner gave his whole-hearted support. On the night of 3 November, the chief electrician, Pierre Lucas, and the foreman, Andre van der Straaten, and three other workers, having hidden explosives in the factory, went to lay the charges. They were intercepted by some German guards who were kicking a football around, and were challenged to a France vs Germany football match, during which a limpet mine fell from the pocket of a saboteur. A German called out, "You have dropped something", and the saboteur quickly picked it up. But the game went on too long, so the attack was postponed for two nights, and was carried out appropriately on Guy Fawkes' Night. The factory was out of commission for six months."The Ministry of ungentlemanly warfare" by Giles Milton, John Murray, 2016
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