Lady from the French Resistance

On a beach in Lanzarote, a couple of years ago, I met a French lady who had been in the French Resistance at the age of only 10.

Her whole family had been heavily involved in the Resistance and having good handwrting she had been able to write forged documents.

Her father was caught and was tried, before being imprisoned. Her mother was also in danger of imprisonment and also had to speak in the court. It was vital that they told the same (untrue) story.

A German soldier knew this, and in order to save the mother, he opened the door at the back of the court so that she could hear exactly what her husband was saying.

The mother was therefore saved and the father was imprisoned but not killed. The lady told me that, at the time, she was sorry her mother was not imprisoned as well, because the children thought it would be fun in the house without any parents! I tell this story because it is important to remember that it wasn't the German people who were inhuman - just their leader.

However, soon after the court incident, the lady's older brother, then aged 18 was ordered to join the German army and to wear the uniform. He stoutly refused and proceeded to burn the uniform. He was shot dead by a German soldier who was following orders.

As she told me this part of her history, it was not with hatred but sadness that her brother had not just put the uniform on. She, and he, knew full well the consequences of doing what he did and it was simply a case of following orders, there was no way the incident could be covered up.

I was so pleased to have met this lady and hear first hand what the French people had to deal with. I picture it very clearly and always cry when I think of it.

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