World War II Moroccan Soldier’s Remains Discovered on French Beach

This takes place on the Escardines beach in Oye-Plage, a French commune located in the Pas-de-Calais department. Two people using metal detectors to find World War II relics discover a skeleton. Donovan Bocquet, one of them, confides to NordLittoral: "I remember we saw a rounded shape. With my friend we thought it was a shell, so we were careful. But we realized it was a skull."

Alerted, the gendarmerie arrives on the scene and begins the investigation. A fairly well-preserved skeleton is then discovered, a button bearing the inscription "Paris", a wallet containing money (1925-1937 period), a thermometer and, finally, the key to solving this enigma: an insignia.

According to a law enforcement source cited by NordLittoral: "The insignia belongs to the first Moroccan Rifle Regiment (RTM)." This regiment was active during the two wars, between 1912 and 1965 and was directly dependent on the Army of Africa, which in turn was attached to the French Army.

According to NordLittoral, this regiment had no reason to be in Oye-Plage. Thus, according to NordLittoral: "The 1st RTM notably participated in the defense of Lille at the end of May 1940 as part of the 1st Moroccan Division. How did he end up in Oye-Plage? Surely a prisoner of the German army who eventually died, perhaps during bombings, on the Opal Coast."

But is it really a Moroccan soldier? Even if everything seems to prove it, we cannot be categorical on this subject. The elements remain insufficient to pronounce definitively and, above all, officially.

The bones of this soldier have been at the National Cemetery of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette since January 16.