My interest in the story of the French defeat in May and June 1940 is profound as an Englishman living in France it has always been my wish to have a greater understanding of this proud nation of France.
Imagine my disgust then when in the speech after the laying of the wreathes that the assembled local dignatories and bystanders and school children were told how De Gaulle and the Free French Forces had liberated France....... Silly me! There i was thinking that it was the allies- in particular the British and Americans who has liberated France albeit by 1944 with a small but growing French Corp fighting alongside.
The shame of 1940 and the occupation 40-45 is one that has to be discussed most tactfully -if at all. The pragmatic French people have re written history to expunge this shame and subsequent episode from their history. It is never and rarely discussed. I should know as one of my children went through the French state education system.
