CAMP OF ST-SULPICE-LA-POINTE
(Tarn)

At the end of October 1939, on order of the Government, the Prefect of Tarn requisitioned a ground of 3.5 ha on which will be built 20 huts, a refectory, a kitchen and sanitary facilities necessary for the possible reception of refugees.

In fact, nearly 1,500 Belgians settle there end May at September 21, 1940, date on which they are distributed in various communes of the department of Tarn.

Then, October 16, 1940, the Minister of Interior Department announces "the creation of a camp for undesirables at ST-SULPICE".

After work of fence - networks of 3 m height barbed wires, watchtowers and buildings administrative - the CAMP OF the NATIONAL POLICE FORCE OF ST-SULPICE is opened and the first internees arrive there on January 28, 1941. They are 253 Communists and trade unionists arrested in 1940 as"dangerous for national defense individuals".

A second quota of 400 men will join them on February 8, follow-up of other groups which will change manpower to 1,047 people at February 21, 1940.

The communist leaders and persons in charge of trade-union - approximately 200 - were then sent in camps in North Africa, in particular in BOSSUET, between February 12 and December 13, 1941. At the end of 1941, they are nothing any more but 920 in ST-SULPICE.

June 29, 1942, approximately 200 foreigners with Russian origin arrive at their turn at the camp from where they will be released in July.

At the end of August 1942, the raids of foreign Jews in the Tarn will bring 226 people to ST-SULPICE, men, women and children. In September 1942. more than 200 Jews will be transferred to DRANCY to be then reported. There were also in ST-SULPICE internees for economical reasons from which 234 will be transferred to FORT-BARRAUX in June and November 1942.

Large patients were directed on the SUPERVISED SANATORIUM of LA GUICHE and other prisoners were requested for the S.T.O.

Lastly, July 20, 1944, about 620 people still present at the camp are evacuated towards TOULOUSE and from there forwarded to the Camps of RAVENSBRUCK for the women and BUCHENWALD for the men.

Thus, of October 16, 1940 to August 23, 1944, nearly 4,600 internees will have remained at ST-SULPICE-LA-POINTE under very precarious conditions often.

The documents presented illustrate the fact that the mail was given not sealed to the service of the censure, from where the affixing of the seal of control on the correspondence and not on the envelope. It was proceeded besides in the same way in other camps.

Control correspondence.

Letter from an internee dated 18-11-1943.

Revision date
19/05/2006