A very sensitive area of WWII history that is told well and with sensitivity. The occupation of Europe by Nazi troops created many challenges and conflicts for the occupied population. – Highly Recommended.
NAME: Hitler's Vineyards, How The French Winemakers Collaborated With The Nazis FILE: R3090 AUTHOR: Christophe Lucand PUBLISHER: Pen & Sword BINDING: hard back PRICE: £25.00 GENRE: Non Fiction SUBJECT: World War II, WWII, World War Two, World War 2, Second World War, Occupied Europe, collaborators, wine growing, vineyards, winemakers, France, industry, economy, reality
ISBN: 1-52676-071-6
PAGES: 224 IMAGE: B3090.jpg BUYNOW: tinyurl.com/ttpyrjc DESCRIPTION: A very sensitive area of WWII history that is told well and with sensitivity. The occupation of Europe by Nazi troops created many challenges and conflicts for the occupied population. – Highly Recommended. The Fall of France saw a large part of that country directly occupied and controlled by the Germans, with the Vichy Government controlling the remaining parts, but under strong German influence. Inevitably, the Germans took over the Vichy territories, giving them complete control. The result was that the French collaborated with the Germans, many with deep reluctance but some with great enthusiasm. Even the French Resistance had a complex history that included active collaboration with the German security services and the Holocaust programmes. This has created a very sensitive area that remains sensitive to this day. We know that many French resisted in one way or another, including those working in factories and sabotaging products. To survive, everyone had to collaborate at some stage even if it was to enable them to continue to work actively against the Germans. We also know that there were French businessmen who eagerly collaborated, seeing that as a golden opportunity to enrich themselves. Internecine warfare within the resistance organizations saw Frenchmen betraying Frenchmen to the Germans as the groups often indulged in a civil war to provide their political group with advantages after the Germans had gone. There were also Frenchmen who actively assisted the Germans in betraying Jews who were shipped off to the extermination camps. The author, an expert in vine and wine, has extensively researched, using official tax and financial archives. This has enabled him to pose the question of 'did the French winemakers collaborate?' and to provide the answers. The readable text is supported by a very interesting selection of images in a photo-plate section. It is much easier after the end of a conflict to try attaching blame to individuals and industries, particularly if the people apportioning blame have not suffered occupation. In the end it comes down to degree. Identifying who enthusiastically collaborated, and who did so reluctantly, can be difficult. After the Germans were driven out many reluctant collaborators faced the wrath of their countrymen, while the most culpable carried on and became even richer and served in public office. The author has walked the line with sensitivity and provided a balanced review of this very painful time for French winemakers.