Media repercussions
One by one, the families of the sailors were contacted by some of the relatives of the missing sailors, who were mobilised around the crazy project of resuming the search for La Minerve. Often they don't believe it's possible, but they're on board. The Toulon daily, Var-Matin, undertook to support them and on 14 October 2018, their request was published in the press.
Families are mobilizing
After declassification and knowledge of the long-awaited file, a certain number of close relatives of the disappeared were consulted to find out whether they supported a plan to question elected officials on the question of resuming the search in order tolocate the wreck of the Minerve.
Out of 18 families contacted, i.e. 32 people at the start, all responded positively, even if some people preferred not to join in order not to reopen a still painful scar . Others also felt that the time had passed and it was too late.
The mother of one of the sailors even indicated that it was the first time in 50 years that she had been contacted about the Minerva for anything other than a commemoration.
As the days went by, this number of families increased with all those who were unaware of this initiative and who could not be contacted at the start because they did not have their contact details.
The number of families would rise to 32 for 82 signatories, i.e. almost all of the families who had been contacted.
October 14, 2019 - Launch of the media campaign
Under the byline of journalist Pierre-Louis PAGES, initially contacted by Hervé FAUVE, whom he had advised, an article presenting the family's approach was published in Var-Matin in its 14 October 2018 edition.
The impact of this article quickly exceeded all the hopes of the initiators of the initiative. Daily newspapers from all over France contacted the families of the missing in their region to testify. Families who had not been found came forward to support the initiative.
Reaction of elected officials
Eight elected officials from the Toulon harbor, chosen based on their ties to the Navy, are directly contacted by email and letters to support the families' request.
Only two elected officials will respond:
Mr. Philippe Vitel, Vice-President of the PACA Region, Full Member of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Advanced National Defense Studies.
Mr. Hubert Falco, Mayor of Toulon, former minister, also relayed the request to the Ministry of the Armed Forces on behalf of the Toulon City Hall.
Hubert Falco
Philippe Vittel
Demand is spreading
Many associations of former submariners and husbands are showing solidarity with the families, French television is producing reports and senior naval officers are discreetly making it known that they support the initiative.
It has been revealed that this request from the families has surprised everyone at the Ministry of the Armed Forces and that an official response will be given, but it may well be negative.