If you've seen the 3rd Reich marching under the arch de triumph after WWII and wondered why the french didn't stop the Germans from reaching Paris, the answer is simple: the french could not accept the bombing of Paris, and would rather fall back and let it be occupied (and saved). The germans had obliterated similar cities.
I used to be very critical of the French lack of resistance until I learned that. They valued their cultural legacy so much that they were willing to take this gamble. Ultimately, they made the right bet (thanks in no small part to a burgeoning force from the west coming to their aid through Normandy).
That's very interesting, Andrew, I wasn't aware of that. In addition to that, my pet theory has always been the French played by their WWI playbook, trying to force the Germans through a narrow corridor through Belgium, where they'd be met by superior French forces. No one in the world, in my opinion, was ready for
blitzkrieg and the ridiculous mobility of the German army. No one (including Ike) would have thought Germany would mount a panzer offensive not 1, not 2, but 3 times through the Ardennes. Insane. So the entire allied Battle Plan was obliterated, literally. Germany swung north, isolated the British, and hammered the French.
I think the French fought valiantly and paid a terrible price. They just got outfoxed. In terms of the miracle of Dunkirk, it's not often talked about that a good many French military stayed behind strictly as human roadblocks, basically, to give as much time as possible to the evacuation. They knew what that meant. I think it's about just over 15,000 French soldiers and somewhere around 1000 British soldiers who were killed in the evacuation. The men of both nations were heroes on that day.
No one wanted the war, just what Hitler banked on and he was right. For France, I'd probably toss in the fact they suffered defeat at German hands with the 1870 war, the final war of German unification. It is much lost to history but it was a terrible, terrible war. Paris starved. Rats, dogs, cats, even animals from the Paris zoo were consumed. I have a book somewhere but I can't recall it's name. Paris During the Siege? B/W photos say it all.
Anyway, sorry for the length but that's my take. Thank you for the perspective on preserving national treasures. I would like to look into this.
Speaking of this, regarding Paris, do you guys know of Hitler's command to obliterate Paris? He ordered the German Governor-General, von Choltitz, to raze the city to the ground in advance of allied arrival, before evacuating the city. He wanted nothing left. About a week later, hearing reports, Hitler called von Choltitz in a customary fit and screamed the famous "Is Paris Burning?!!!" von Choltitz, I think, bravely, disobeyed Hitler's order and the city was saved. von Choltitz admired the French people, and loved the city. He also knew it was any day for the allied arrival, and the not inconsequential fact der fuehrer was batsh!t crazy.
There is controversy whether he was or wasn't involved in the liquidation of Jews. As a staff officer, it's very likely he was. Anyone watch Hogan's Heroes? LeBeau? He has tattoos on his arms and talks mournfully still of that time. Hard to square a General who had the courage and character to refuse to destroy one of the West's greatest cities, who also sent countless innocents to their deaths.
). I'm a little shocked.
