Tag Archives: RAF

‘The British did this to us!’

‘The British did this to us!’ In this Vichy poster, the mocking figure of a pipe-smoking RAF pilot looms behind a wounded French soldier and a bombed-out family. Collection BDIC-MHC. Tous droits réservés.

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Pétain’s visit to Montluçon

‘Nos Villes dans la Tourmente’: Pétain’s visit to Montluçon after the RAF had raided the Dunlop plant on 15/16 September 1943. Courtesy Archives Municipales de Rouen, 4/H/14.2. Tous droits réservés.

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Triumphant claims on the RAF’s bombing record

This issue of Le Courrier de l’Air, from December 1943, combines triumphant claims on the RAF’s bombing record with a warning from the French National Resistance Council and the announcement of René Massigli’s appointment as foreign affairs spokesman for the … Continue reading

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‘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

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‘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

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RAF Reconnaissance

RAF Reconnaissance produced a series of Tactical targets files for each of 37 sectors in Belgium and Northern France. The level of detail is shown by the page for the centre and port area of Le Havre. © Crown Copyright. … Continue reading

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French families who had suffered through Allied bombing

In what might appear an uncharacteristic initiative, Harris, as Commander-in-Chief of Bomber Command, asked for contributions from bomber crews to help French families who had suffered through Allied bombing – either after helping RAF airmen or after being hit. The … Continue reading

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