After WWII, there grew a myth that all French citizens were part of the Resistance. It was an attempt to heal the wounds of the war, but it was a lie.
Thousands of brave French citizens took part in various Resistance organizations such as the Marquis and the Comet Line. Others may not have been an active member of the Resistance but did things like hide downed airmen until they could be handed off. They did this at tremendous risk and many paid with their lives.
At the same time, there were active collaborators in every one of the occupied countries. France was no exception, and neither was Klaus Barbie. Some supported the Nazis and joined outfits like the Milice and actively hunted the Resistance.
Collaboration took many forms. Some women openly consorted with German troops. Other Frenchmen and women did business with the Germans. They were often subjected to public humiliation after the war, subjected to shaved heads and other abuse. Many of the Milice were executed.
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The myth of universal resistance
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- Denouncing
- The myth of universal resistance
- Can you point me in the direction of this myth you refer to?
- Here are some sources
- Beate Klarsfeld: 'righteous Gentile'
- I suppose I asked for it!
- Here are some sources
- To cut the French a small break...
- Can you point me in the direction of this myth you refer to?
- The myth of universal resistance