France was the second country The Ohio State World War II study abroad program visited. While in France we explored World War II sites and monuments near Bayeux, a small city located close to several D-Day museums and the Utah and Omaha Beaches, and Paris, the infamous capital city. The culture in France revealed pride in the country’s elegant language, incredible food, and rich history. Although France certainly has historical moments that deserve praise and recognition, their contributions to the allied World War II effort certainly should not be applauded as much as they were. Three pieces of French World War II history were inaccurately portrayed: Charles De Gaulle, a general who became France’s symbol of freedom was made out to be a hero on a scale he was not; the French resistance was characterized as a tide changing force; and the French role as collaborators was glossed over or completely ignored at many sites.
The allied war effort consisted mainly of the involvement of the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union. Together, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin participated in an alliance that became known as the “Big 3.” According to the French perspective, however, Charles De Gaulle played a large role in the alliance and supplanted Stalin. De Gaulle was portrayed as a military genius who guided the Free French Forces valiantly in critical battles against the Nazis. In almost every museum, De Gaulle was deified. For example, the French military history museum explained that De Gaulle became the leader of the Free French Forces by disobeying all authority and leaving for England to continue fighting the war on behalf of France. Perhaps the French glorify De Gaulle to create a figurehead similar to FDR for Americans or Churchill for the British.
Every country under Nazi occupation participated in resistance. Resistance mostly consisted of small scale efforts by occupied citizens or organizations to disrupt Nazi war efforts and create unrest. However, although welcomed by the allies, resistance was not necessary to liberate countries or win the war. In France, the resistance was given sole credit for their liberation. The Caen World War II memorial museum directly suggested that the liberation of France would have occurred with or without allied assistance because of the French resistance efforts. One reason the French resistance’s impact is embellished could be to establish the idea that the French participated in their own liberation and were therefore victors of World War II. This aligns with the proud narrative of French history and allows the French to comfort themselves in saying their resistance was tide changing in the war.
In addition to resistance to Nazi occupation, collaboration existed within occupied countries. France is no exception to being involved in collaboration. For example, French leadership in Nazi occupied France willingly implemented anti-Semitic laws by choice, deported Jews to death and labor camps, and sent French citizens to work for Germany. Nevertheless, French collaboration to the Nazi war effort was downplayed or simply ignored in the museums we visited. In one instance, collaboration in France was described as the only option citizens had if they wanted to be in good favor with the Nazis who seemed to be on the brink of victory. It seems clear that French collaboration generates a sense of shame among the French when it is acknowledged.
An image of the Eiffel Tower illuminated at night.
A statue near Utah Beach honoring Dick Winter’s and the 101st Airborne Division.
The grave of Max Clark, a fellow Buckeye who perished one day after the D-Day invasion.