Joseph Joanovici

Joseph Joanovici, also spelled Joinovici (1905 –1965) was a French Jewish iron supplier, who supplied both Nazi Germany and the French Resistance.

Early life

Joseph Joanovici was born on February 20, 1905 in Chișinău.

Career

During World War II, Joanovici was a war profiteer who collaborated with Nazi Germany.^[1] His activities made him a millionaire.

In 1949, he was found guilty of collaboration and sentenced to a prison term. In January 1958, he escaped from France to Israel.^[1] However, his permit of residence was not renewed, and he was forced to return to France.^[1] There he was acquitted from most of the charges against him and was finally sentenced to one year in prison. He was released in 1962 due to health problems.

Death

He died on February 7, 1965 in Clichy.

References

1. Poliakov, Léon (1960). "FRANCE". American Jewish Year Book 61: 204. Retrieved 22 June 2015 – via JSTOR. (registration required (help)).

Sources

• Philippe Bernert, Roger Wybot et la bataille pour la DST
• L'étrange Monsieur Joseph (Joseph Joanovici) by Alphonse Boudard, édition Robert Laffont, Paris, 1998 - it was adapted as a TV film of the same name, directed by Josée Dayan from a script by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, with Roger Hanin as Joseph Joanovici, 2001, which was criticised for what was perceived as an over-sympathetic portrayal of Joanovici.
• (graphic novel) Il était une fois en France, "L'empire de Monsieur Joseph" (i.e. volume I), by Fabien Nury and Sylvain Vallée, Glénat 2007.