Tag Archives: Germans

First and terrible bombardment of Caen

From 6 June 1944, the first and terrible bombardment of Caen took place, the town was burned. Our house was badly hit, the walls, the windows, the ceilings, everything blew apart. It was on 8 June that we left our … Continue reading

Posted in French people and bombing | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on First and terrible bombardment of Caen

Le Havre, Winter 1944-45

Le Havre, Winter 1944-45. A report by H. Holbek, a Swedish Quaker visitor to Le Havre, described popular feelings there in November 1944. ‘One notices a sense of bitterness towards the British, a profound chagrin and disappointment, in Le Havre. … Continue reading

Posted in Effects of Bombing | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Le Havre, Winter 1944-45

‘Preparing the final assault’

‘Preparing the final assault’: in January 1944 Le Courrier de l’Air linked raids on German industrial targets in France to the imminent liberation of Western Europe. Courtesy Mémorial de Caen, PA/2.

Posted in Allied Strategies, 1940-45 | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Preparing the final assault’

‘Leave the forbidden zones!’

‘Leave the forbidden zones!’ Late in 1942, the Courrier de l’Air told French civilians to evacuate the restricted coastal areas as defined by the occupying Germans. This was the prelude to the bombing offensive on the Biscay ports. Courtesy Mémorial … Continue reading

Posted in Allied Strategies, 1940-45 | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on ‘Leave the forbidden zones!’

‘Imposed by Hitler, Laval takes power’

‘Imposed by Hitler, Laval takes power’. A less than flattering profile of Pierre Laval, in the Courrier de l’Air of early May 1942, is juxtaposed with claims that Allies attacks on French territory are aimed at Germany’s war effort, and … Continue reading

Posted in Allied Strategies, 1940-45 | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Imposed by Hitler, Laval takes power’

‘What the RAF is aiming at in France.’

‘What the RAF is aiming at in France.’ The first Courrier de l’Air after the German invasion of the USSR, on 3 July 1941, highlights ‘Circus’ operations over northern France, and stresses that they help draw the Luftwaffe away from … Continue reading

Posted in Allied Strategies, 1940-45 | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on ‘What the RAF is aiming at in France.’

‘The Renault factories were working for the Germans

‘The Renault factories were working for the Germans; the Renault factories were hit.’ Leaflet produced by the British Political Warfare Executive and dropped over France after the RAF raid on Renault in March 1942. © Crown Copyright. Courtesy The National … Continue reading

Posted in Allied Strategies, 1940-45 | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on ‘The Renault factories were working for the Germans