Frenchman in Germany

I am French, I'm 32 and I live in London with my English husband. Last year I decided to "interview" my grandfather about the war years in order to keep a record of all the stories he had to tell. I have 2 small children and I thought that they too one day would be interested in the legacy of their great grandfather's memories.
My grand dad Pierre Nougé was 17 in 1939. After France capitulated in 1940, he got engaged with Yvette but was soon to be sent to Germany in order to work in an armement factory. He recalls D-day: he and his comrades found out about the invasion on June 9th 1944, but were only to be liberated by the Allies in May 1945. One has to remember that June 6th 1944 was not the end of the war. It took months for the Allies to reach Germany and save prisonners and workers. My grandfather has never been angry against the Germans, which is quite surprising. Au contraire, he still vividly remembers the day when he was saved from drowning by a German man and his only regret in life is that he never thanked this man for saving his life, just because he was German. Pierre is a very generous and tolerant man and his wisdom is very valuable to us.
My family was not in the resistance, but they fought in their own way, always trying to lead astray the occupiers.
My grandfather got back to his village in May 1945. He arrived home, was scrubbed by his mother (he was filthy, covered with lice) and they spent the day quietly, without talking about the years spent away from his family in Germany. He was very quiet. He was used to whisper all the time in the German factory. The words and stories came later. He married my grandmother soon after the war and my dad was born in 1947.
Thanks to all of you who have fought for freedom.

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