Born on February 16, 1919 in Tourlaville (Manche), Jeanne Bohec spent her childhood in Plestin-les-Grèves, Brittany, before moving to Angers at the age of 10, where her father, a retired sailor, obtained a reserved job. She went on to study at the Lycée Joachim du Bellay, then at the Lycée David d'Angers, where she specialized in mathematics. In 1938, she entered the Université Catholique de l'Ouest (UCO) to study general mathematics, passing her first year with honors. However, the Second World War interrupted her academic career.

In March 1940, eager to contribute to the war effort and armed with her scientific skills, she became an assistant chemist at the Moulin Blanc powder plant in Brest.

Faced with the German advance, she left France in June 1940 aboard the tug Abeille IV, bound for Plymouth and then London. There, she joined the French Volunteers of the Free French Forces (FFL) in January 1941, initially working as a secretary in the technical and armament departments. Thanks to her skills in chemistry, she was transferred to an explosives laboratory in 1942, helping to manufacture and handle explosives for sabotage operations.

In August 1943, she was recruited by the Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action (BCRA). After training in sabotage and espionage, she parachuted into Brittany on the night of February 9-10, 1944, under the code name "Râteau". She trained and mentored local Resistance fighters in sabotage techniques, touring the region by bicycle, earning her the nickname "plastiqueuse à bicyclette" (which later became the title of her autobiographical book).

Jeanne Bohec played an active role in the Maquis de Saint-Marcel operations between February and June 1944, notably during the attack on June 18, 1944. She also contributed to the liberation of Quimper in August 1944.

After the war, she returned to civilian life, teaching mathematics at the Lycée Roland Dorgelès in Paris until her retirement at the age of 60. She also became involved in politics as deputy mayor of the 18th arrondissement of Paris in 1975. Her commitment and courage were recognized by several awards: Légion d'honneur, Croix de guerre 1939-1945, médaille de la Résistance française, and Commandeur de l'ordre national du Mérite.

Jeanne Bohec died on January 11, 2010 in Bondy, at the age of 90.

Resistance fighter, teacher and local politician, she embodies the values of freedom and commitment so dear to the Université catholique de l'Ouest.

In recognition of her exceptional career, she is one of UCO's Grand Alumni, alongside personalities such as André Trannoy and Joël Le Theule.

This article is the result of research by students in the History degree program at UCO Angers.