The forgotten French : exiles in the British Isles, 1940-44 / Nicholas Atkin

Englisch

Manchester : Manchester University Press, 2003

Online-Ressource (xvi, 304 p) : ill., maps

Includes bibliographical references and index

English

Print version: The Forgotten French : Exiles in the British Isles, 1940-44

0-7190-6438-4

Contents; Figures and maps; Preface; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; 1 The context of exile: communities, circumstances and choices; 2 The misfortune of exile: refugees; 3 The conflict of exile: servicemen; 4 The surveillance of exile: the Vichy consulates; 5 The tradition of exile: la colonie Française; 6 Conclusion; Appendices; Bibliography; Index

*World War, 1939-1945 -- Great Britain ; Refugees -- France -- History ; Refugees -- Great Britain -- History

*British & Irish history

Klassifikation der Library of Congress: DS135.F83

Dewey Dezimal-Klassifikation: 941.00441;

Regensburger Verbund-Klassifikation: NQ 2795: N Geschichte / NQ Geschichte seit 1918 / NQ 2545-NQ 2795 Geschichte des Zweiten Weltkrieges / NQ 2760-NQ 2795 Sonderprobleme / Sonstiges (z.B. Kriegsgefangenschaft)

Regensburger Verbund-Klassifikation: NQ 2840: N Geschichte / NQ Geschichte seit 1918 / NQ 2798-NQ 5790 Geschichte der auswärtigen Staaten (1918 - 1945) / NQ 2798-NQ 3560 Westeuropa / NQ 2800-NQ 3080 Frankreich / NQ 2830-NQ 3080 Geschichte 1939 - 1945 / Resistance

bcl: 15.70

Book Industry Communication: HBJD1

It is widely assumed that the French in the British Isles during the Second World War were fully-fledged supporters of General de Gaulle, and that across the channel at least, the French were a 'nation of resisters'. This highly provocative study reveals that most exiles were on British soil by chance rather than by design, and many were not sure whether to stay. Overlooked by historians, who have concentrated on the 'Free French' of de Gaulle, these were the 'Forgotten French': refugees swept off the beaches of Dunkirk; servicemen held in camps after the Franco-German armistice; Vichy consular officials left to cater for their compatriots; and a sizeable colonist community based mainly in London. Drawing on little-known archival sources, this study examines the hopes and fears of these communities who were bitterly divided among themselves, some being attracted to Pétain as much as to de Gaulle. It also looks at how they fitted into British life and how the British in turn responded. The author finds that while the public was often charitable, the Government was suspicious of their loyalties and even considered general internment. Illustrated throughout, this is essential reading for anyone interested in the British and French experiences of the Second World War

 

Online-Ausg.

Palo Alto, Calif : ebrary, 2009

Palo Alto, Calif : ebrary

Electronic reproduction; Available via World Wide Web