Jacques Bingen

Jacques Bingen (16 March 1908 – 12 May 1944) was a high-ranking member of the French Resistance during World War II who, when captured by the Gestapo, chose to commit suicide rather than risk divulging what he knew under torture. Bingen was born in Paris to a Jewish family with Italian roots. He was the brother-in-law of André Citroën. After graduating from the Lycée Janson de Sailly in 1924, he entered the École des mines de Paris in 1926 and studied to become an engineer. In 1930–1931, he served in the artillery branch of the French Army. From 1935, he was director of the French shipping company Société Anonyme de Gérance et d'Armement. He was drafted in 1939 for World War II. During the Battle of France, he was wounded on 12 June 1940 at Saint-Valery-en-Caux. After France surrendered, he made his way to British-held Gibraltar, and from there to England, arriving in July. He joined the Free French under General Charles de Gaulle, and was put in charge of its merchant marine, the little there was of it.