British Propaganda to France, 1940—1944 Machinery, Method and Message

Annexe Two Black Propaganda Leaflets and Rumours

Part III: Rumours for France

Tim Brooks

© Timothy William Brooks, 2007 2 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

Part III: Rumours for France

A. Rumours Date Code Rumour, Sib Directive or Comeback Approved, by? Notes 28.9.40 The reason for M. Laval’s sucking up to the For the credulous, this may have an effect; for the Germans is that they have told him that they are incredulous, it will at least provide a laugh at going to make the Comte de Paris King. Laval is to Laval’s expense. Passed to SIS [the Secret become Duc du Savoie. Intelligence Service, also known as MI6. Pierre Laval (1883­1945) was Pétain’s deputy prime minister and was the dominant figure in the Vichy government at this time. Henri, Comte de Paris (b. 1908), had succeeded his father, Jean III, Duc de Guise, a month earlier, as the fifth pretender to the throne of France]. 1 28.9.40 The pilot in charge of the aeroplane in which Passed to SIS. Weygand was travelling when he had his [See below, 5.10.40. Maxime Weygand (1867­ ‘accident’ has been under the close arrest of the 1965) had replaced General Gamelin as Gestapo ever since. The Germans demanded that commander­in­chief of the French Army on 19 he should be handed over. Strange revelations May 1940, and had presided over the military concerning the ‘accident’ may be expected. defeat of France. An “acerbic anti­German”, he was “banished” to become High Commissioner in Algiers]. 2 28.9.40 The Germans are going to take down the Eiffel Passed to SIS. tower to use the metal for munitions. 28.9.40 The subject of the discussion which Suñer has been Passed to SIS and Agency X [See below, 5.10.40, having in Berlin recently is the handing over of and for discussion of Agency X. This rumour was French Morocco to Spain. This handing over partly true. Ramon Serrano Suñer, Franco’s implies Germany completely ignoring US negotiator, attended talks in Berlin in September capitulatory rights in Morocco. 1940 at which the future of French Morocco was discussed]. 3 3 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

Late ‘40 Hitler is planning to settle large numbers of The aim of this whisper is to induce peasants not to German peasants in France, which the Germans do any winter sowing. say is depopulated. [Document undated. Date arrived at through internal evidence]. 5.10.40 There are already 300,000 Germans in unoccupied territory in France. These are spread out in main centres like Marseilles, Perpignan, Toulouse, and Montpellier, preparing for the invasion of the whole of France. The Vichy Government knows and just isn’t trying. 5.10.40 10,000 Germans soldiers and officers are on the Spanish frontier with the Spanish troops ready to invade French Morocco. 5.10.40 The Vichy Government have given Pierre Mas 10,000,000 frs. So that the Press he controls prepares the ground for German occupation of Morocco. 5.10.40 The Germans are preparing to assassinate Marshal Passed to SIS. [See below, same date]. Pétain so as to have a pretext to invade the whole of France. An ex­convict from La Guyane has been given a large sum of money to carry out this foul deed. 5.10.40 The Germans are demanding French planes. Passed to SIS and Agency X. [Agency X may have French pilots will be forced to fly and to attack been Section X of SOE, which was responsible for Syria and Tunisia with the Italian Army. Pétain Germany and ran SOE Missions in the important Government giving in. neutral countries]. 4 4 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

5.10.40 Revolt against the Germans in Paris is decided for Passed to SIS. the 6 February. Weygand will lead the movement as he wants to take his revenge against the Germans who had ordered the pilot to kill him in a ‘crash’ when pretending to fly him over to Africa. Weygand will be supported by the ‘Anciens Croix de Feu’. 5.10.40 The Germans are going to seize at least one million Passed to SIS and Agency X. [See below 8.11.40. motor cars from France so as to recuperate rubber Because of a shortage of rubber, the Germans did from the tyres and the metal from the cars. confiscate tyres in large numbers. Vercors’ novel The Silence of the Sea describes a man declaring tyres, in the summer of 1941].5 5.10.40 Convicts from La Guyane have been released and Passed to SIS. [La Guyane, or French Guyana, sent back to unoccupied France by the Germans South America, had been a penal colony including with instructions to commit murders and outrages the infamous Devil’s Island – but only until 1935.].6 which will justify German intervention and pretext to occupy the whole of France. 5.10.40 The recent census of livestock in France was a Passed to SIS. forerunner of a confiscation of 50% of stock for the benefit of Germany. 12.10.40 In order to pay the 12 milliard [billion] francs Passed to SIS. [The terms of the Armistice did which the Vichy Government has agreed to give require the French to pay Occupation costs, the Germans every month for the troops of estimated in August 1940 to be 20 million occupation, the gold reserve of the Banque d’Etat Reichsmarks a day, with an exchange rate set at 20 du Maroc has been sold through Portugal. The marks to 1 franc, or 400,000,000 francs daily, a Banque d’Etat du Maroc has no security to cover figure used in British white propaganda].7 bills in circulation. 8.11.40 The Germans are about to requisition rubber and Dissemination by Agency X. copper in France including tyres off cars. 5 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

28.11.40 In the Occupied Territory in France the Germans Yes, by JIC, Germans known to be in urgent need of gold; large are preparing to requisition all gold held by private subject to quantities of gold held by French peasants who individuals and in unoccupied territory, by redrafting as this is would strenuously resist its seizure. Suggest arrangement with the Vichy Government, all gold already the redrafted version magnifies penalties e.g. death is to be requisitioned and exchanged for notes. situation in sentence. There are severe penalties for the concealment of occupied France. gold. 6.12.40 Laval is secretly preparing to amalgamate the Yes, by UP Dissemination by Agency X. Compagnie Fermiere of Vichy with the other Committee. mineral water companies of central France and his own private mineral water company, to salvage that bankrupt concern. 6.12.40 The reports of pig disease in Styria are being Yes, by UP Dissemination by Agency X. [See below, undated spread to justify seizing more French pigs. Committee sib S/1015, and comeback report]. 6.12.40 The Germans intend to nominate Doriot Gauleiter Yes, by UP Dissemination by Agency X. of France. Himmler is financing him; he is training Committee. [Jacques Doriot (1898­1945) had founded the anti­ an SS of his own in the South of France; his Communist Parti Populaire Française (PPF)in intention is – with German permission – to import 1936. In 1941 he would found the Lègion des it into Paris to beat up the workers. Volontaires Françaises contre le Bolchevisme (LVF), many of whose survivors joined the SS. Heinrich Himmler (1900­1945) was head of the SS and German police services]. 8 6.12.40 The Germans have told Laval that they want to Yes, by UP Dissemination by Agency X. reopen the St. Denis coal scandal in order to prove Committee. [Doriot had been mayor of St.­Denis in the early Doriot innocent. 1930s]. 9 6.12.40 Laval intends to withdraw Weygand and send Yes, by UP Dissemination by Agency X and CD. [‘CD’ was the Bergery to North Africa. Committee. executive director of SO2, later of SOE as a whole. Gaston Bergery (1892­1974) had been the only deputy to vote against war credits in September 1939 and supported the ideas for a German­ dominated New Order].1 0 6 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

6.12.40 In Marseilles 50 people have been arrested. They Yes, by UP Dissemination by Agency X. founded a committee with the view of protesting Committee. against the commandeering of food arriving in Marseilles from Northern Africa by Germans and Italians. 16.12.40 Germans are more and more determined not to let No, by FO and JIC; Any suggestion that the Germans would not let prisoners of war come back because they are now advised redrafting. French POWs return would make the French dislike more than ever convinced that most of the the Germans more, but the reason for continued assassinations of German soldiers and sentinels can detention would give the logical French an be traced back to escaped prisoners of war, adequate reason for this action. French to be recently returned. Though many are not strong discouraged from active revolt at present. enough to kill, they are forming groups to avenge their fellow prisoners. The movement is organised on the principle of the FEME. 1.1.41 DIR As before, with the following addition:­ To convey, if possible, the fact that Roosevelt’s attitude to France is conditional upon France’s own resistance to Germany and refusal to turn against Great Britain. 9.1.41 If unemployed, don’t register or you will be sent to [Original document for this and following sibs forced labour in Germany. dated 9.1.41 undated, but annotated ‘27 th December, sent 9 th January’.] 9.1.41 French prisoners are being sent to Poland. 9.1.41 German soldiers in Paris restaurants get double rations on showing special­coloured extra ration cards. 9.1.41 The Jeunesse Doriot are starting an anti­Catholic, [The ‘Jeunesse Doriot’ was presumably a youth back­to­pagan Frankish cult. wing of the PPF]. 9.1.41 Lorrainers, Jews, Poles, anti­German Danes, Norwegians and Dutch are to be settled on ‘inadequately’ cultivated land in Allier, Puy­de­ Dome, Herault and Gard. 7 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

9.1.41 Turn of all electricity except the radio when listening to British (your forbidden) broadcasts. The authorities have noticed that the day’s maximum electricity is used at listening times. 10.1.41 S/107 Laval runs the black food market through his Yes, by UP Created by SOE; dissemination by CD and Agency control of the Economats du Centre and of Felix Committee X. [Félix Potin food shops were a major chain]. Potin. 10.1.41 S/108 Admiral Leahy has disclosed to Pétain that Laval Yes, by UP Created by SOE; dissemination by CD (Lisbon, has transferred large holdings to New York under Committee Tangier, Madrid). cover. [Admiral William Leahy was the U.S. Ambassador to Vichy]. 11 10.1.41 S/109 All food prices are going up 50% next month. Yes, by UP Created by SOE; dissemination by CD and Agency Committee. X. 10.1.41 S/110 Nazis are going to requisition foodstuffs equivalent Yes, by UP Created by SOE; dissemination by CD and Agency to vitamin supplies from U.S. Committee. X. 15.1.41 DIR a)As before, to spread the impression that Admiral Leahy’s message to Pétain lays down conditions i.e. does not convey Roosevelt’s approval of Vichy but, if anything, rather a threat. (This might be related to blockade propaganda and especially to it re North Africa). b)To puncture, if possible, the idea of a drawn war which hovers in French minds – a draw which would leave G.B. and Germany exhausted, France relatively strong and which would require no effort on her part meanwhile. c)To contribute more than ever to British propaganda in relation to the blockade issue. This can probably best be done by sibs alleging German appropriations export to Germany of French foodstuffs etc. d)Very important – to allege German demands for the French fleet. e)To counter Admiral Platon’s anti­British allegations concerning our intentions to grab French colonies. [Platon was Colonial Minister]. 12 f) To allege Italian aggressive designs in N. Africa (in lieu of success against us) and a firm attitude of the French Colonial authorities. 17.1.41 S/112 Roosevelt insisted that the price of sending Pending, from JIC ISSB considered it likely to encourage Germans to $100,000 worth of vitamins shall be the removal of and ISSB threaten the security of the French Fleet. JIC the French Fleet to Africa. advised redrafting to cover two destroyers known to have left the Mediterranean recently. [See sib S.112 below]. 8 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

17.1.41 S/113 Graziani has instructions if the next British Yes, by UP Dissemination by CD and Agency X. [Marshal advance succeeds to fall back behind Nareth line committee. Rodolfo Graziani was in command of the Italian and occupy Tunisia. forces in North Africa]. 13 17.1.41 S/114 Baudouin quarrelled with Pétain because Pétain Yes, by the UP Dissemination by Agency X. found out that Baudouin was making a private Committee. [Paul Baudouin (1895­1964) served as Pétain’s negotiation with Ciano about the Jibuti­Addis Foreign Minister between June 1940 and January Ababa railway, of which Baudouin and Ciano are 1941. Count Galeazzo Ciano (1903­1944) was the the chief shareholders. Italian foreign minister until 1943].1 4 17.1.41 S/116 Germans built a dummy aerodrome in Normandy Rejected, by ISSB. Not approved because the ISSB considered it liable with wooden planes. Next night the RAF bombed to compromise Intelligence sources. it – with wooden bombs. Admiral Leahy’s first act on arriving in Vichy was to tell Pétain that he has Roosevelt’s instructions to leave should Pétain give up the fleet or allow passage of German troops. Peyrouton has a third share in a new company [Marcel Peyrouton was Minister of the Interior formed in Paris to take over all Mannesman claims between September 1940 and February 1941]. 15 in Morocco and holding of iron ore companies in Tunis and Morocco. The new company has a German manager and is merely cover for Hermann Goering Stahlwerke. Flandin’s illness was due to a bad burn on the face [Pierre­Étienne Flandin (1889­1958) was Foreign done in a quarrel at a committee with Alibert with Minister between December 1940 and February a cigar. (This trick of Alibert’s is well­known, his 1941. Raphaël Alibert was Minister of Justice until bad temper notorious). January 1941, and has been described some historians as “fanatical to the point of mental instability”]. 16 After February 15 th all pâtes alimentaires will [Pates alimentaires is pasta] contain one third potato flour. 9 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

23.1.41 Germans have forbidden the sale of pepper in [Same source document repeats S/114 above]. occupied countries because of the growing habit of natives of throwing pepper in Germans’ faces after dark. 24.1.41 DIR As for last week i.e. to contribute to our propaganda demonstrating that the attitude of the United States to Pétain is conditional. Plus an extra effort to discredit Laval not only as a crook but as the seller of his country. It might be possible to follow up former sibs concerning Laval. 28.1.41 S/112 Roosevelt has insisted that the price of sending No, by FO This was a redrafted version. [See above]. $100,000 worth of vitamins to France is the removal to West Africa of two French destroyers which have left the Mediterranean. 28.1.41 S/129 Laval has agreed to hand over bases to the Axis as Yes, by JIC Created by PID; dissemination by EH. the price for the German demand that he should return to office. 28.1.41 S/132 Darlan has agreed privately with Admiral Leahy to No, by FO [Jean Louis Darlan (1881­1942) was Admiral of the sail the French Fleet to American ports if the French Fleet as well as holding several other Germans try to take it. positions within the Vichy administration]. 17 28.1.41 S/133 Britain is unofficially allowing French convoys to No, by FO and [The British were actually incapable of enforcing a Marseilles to break the blockade MEW. blockade and this rumour may have been intended to explain why a large number of French ships – 100 of 108 passed successfully through the Straits of Gibraltar in the first three months of 1941 – reached Marseilles. It may have been rejected to prevent the French from realising this, but they already had]. 18 S/134 Soap sales are being restricted to official Vichy [These and other undated sibs which follow, Government agencies only. Shops will no longer marked as “Reconstructed”, have been taken from be able to sell soap after 17.2.41. comeback reports, and approximate date guessed. They must have been approved. See below for comeback reports]. 10 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

In order to wipe out Laval’s recent financial losses [This and following seven undated uncoded sibs (he bought a number of French radio stations, assumed to have a dating of late January or early which Pétain immediately nationalised at a loss to February 1941 because of word­for­word repetition Laval) Abetz advanced him 500,000 Occupation in source document of sib S/129 (as above) and Marks in Paris, which Laval cashed in at the similarity of a further sib to S/134. Otto Abetz Controle Centrale – Frs. 100,000,000. (1903­1958) was the German Ambassador in Paris, August 1940­1944].1 9 The Germans have given Laval photostat copies of the Gestapo and 2éme Bureau dossiers re Flandin (including full details of the aero­postale scandal). All French passenger traffic is to be stopped [The Brenner was an important pass through the shortly. This is to allow for enormous German Alps between Italy and Austria, open all year]. 20 traffic to Italy, as the Brenner is blocked by the military. Laval, Déat, de Brinon and Luchaire are organising [Marcel Déat (1894­1955) was a socialist who ant­Vichy demonstrations which will take place in became pro­collaboration. He helped found the Paris with the agreement of the Germans; Laval Rassemblement National Populaire (RNP). will then take power. Ferdinand de Brinon (1885­1947) was Vichy’s representative in Paris and the Occupied Zone. Jean Luchaire was a journalist who edited Les Nouveaux Temps, a collaborationist newspaper, from November 1940].2 1 Slaughter ewes before lambs are born: the Germans are going to commandeer all lambs this Spring. Hoard potatoes: they will soon be all there is to eat. Get rid of all paper money: turn it into goods, property, storable food etc. S/152 French prisoners of war in Germany are being [Reconstructed] sterilised. 11 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

S/174 German occupation troops whose families have [Reconstructed] been killed in RAF raids on Germany often commit suicide. S/185 The French Flag is to have a Swastika stamped on [Reconstructed] it. S/214 Five thousand paratroops are in training in Sicily. [Reconstructed] [It was probable that these troops were also given a suggested task, e.g. invading French North Africa]. 12.2.41 Laval has agreed with Abetz that as soon as he gets back to power the Germans will have control of the PLM railway. S/284 German occupation troops are insisting that [Reconstructed] Mayors of the towns they are stationed in give them certificates of good conduct, in anticipation of the future. S/288 An attempt was made to assassinate Laval, by two [Reconstructed] French veterans. 24.2.41 Mysterious disappearances of young Frenchmen near Abbeville are due to the activities of a certain German officer who is too good a friend of Hitler’s to be arrested. 24.2.41 The German attacks on Flandin are a blind: he is acting for Laval and has been promised a place in the Cabinet when Laval takes over. 24.2.41 Members of the Rassemblement Nationale Populaire are paid their salaries in Occupation Marks. 24.2.41 A cook at the Grillon hotel has been sentenced to six months for spitting in food he was preparing for Gestapo officers. 12 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

28.2.41 Nine sibs for specific use in France were started at [This and following similar entries may encompass the meeting of this date. undated or reconstructed sibs already or to be listed]. 4.3.41 The Germans are purposely keeping France short [Source document for this and other sibs of the of food. Hitler said to Abetz, ‘You do not give a same date, dated in original document as 4 March useful dog too much meat, he might become only. 1941 assumed through document position in ferocious.’ the source file]. 4.3.41 Hitler, through Abetz, has refused Laval’s request that the Germans take over Unoccupied France on the grounds that German exploitation of France is much more effective under the present conditions. 4.3.41 The RNP have been getting so little support that they are unofficially offering ‘expense’ money to prospective members, but as yet no money has been forthcoming. 4.3.41 Several meetings of the RNP have been broken up [Translation: Return our prisoners]. by the cry of ‘Rendez nos prisonniers.’ 7.3.41 Four sibs for specific use in France were started at [It may be that the four sibs referred to here were the meeting of this date. those listed above dated 4.3.41]. 14.3.41 Six sibs for specific use in France were started at the meeting of this date. Darlan has agreed with Abetz to allow German [Approximate date guessed. Darlan had succeeded occupation of French Morocco and Tunis when the the triumvirate in which he had come to power, as Germans go through Spain and occupy Tangier, the Prime Minister on 9 February 1941]. 22 conditions being that Unoccupied France is left alone. 21.3.41 Seven sibs for specific use in France were started at the meeting of this date. 13 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

Twenty people were arrested for shouting ‘Vive de [Date guessed from position of source document Gaulle’ an protesting when the court was cleared at within file, NA: PRO FO 898/71]. the trial, at Gannat, of four de Gaullist sympathisers. 28.3.41 Two sibs for specific use in France were started at the meeting of this date. S/442 France is required by the peace terms with [Reconstructed] Germany to cede to Belgium the departments of Nord and Pas de Calais, and half of the Somme. This is in order to create a Flemish puppet state. Ration cards and the right to unemployment pay [Date guessed from the position of the source which are given up by workers from the Occupied document within the original file, NA: PRO FO Territories going to work in Germany will not be 898/71]. restored to them if they return. 4.4.41 Four sibs for specific use in France were started at the meeting of this date. 9.4.41 S/472 A Frenchman who was mortally injured by an RAF [Translation: ‘It was a good shot. It was worth the bomb at Dieppe which killed 18 Germans, said as effort – eighteen Germans less.’] he was dying, ‘C’est du bon boulet. Ça en vaut la peine – dix­huit Boches de moins.’ S/475 People on the Paris Metro make a courteous [Reconstructed. See also sib N/989 below. King gesture they pass through the George V station. George V (1865­1936) had been the British The Germans do not understand why. monarch during the First World War].2 3 11.4.41 Six sibs for specific use in France were started at the meeting of this date. 16.4.41 S/513 Admiral Darlan refused to go to Marseilles when Leahy was there because he was afraid of demonstrations against him in the presence of the US Ambassador. 14 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

16.4.41 S/514 Brinon’s statement that he hoped Germany would [Ferdinand de Brinon’s wife was indeed Jewish]. 24 win the war soon was made the day after the German Racial Commission had agreed to grant his wife (who is a Jewess) aryanisation. S/523 Food for French workers in Germany is being [Reconstructed from comeback report for S/152]. tampered with to cause impotence and sterilisation. 18.4.41 Three sibs for specific use in France were started at the meeting of this date. 20.4.41 The French miner prisoners of war who have been Dissemination by Agency X. released and sent to Lille to work for the Germans are still being kept under guard in camps. 20.4.41 12,000 of the 30,000 Frenchmen ‘released’ by the Dissemination by Agency X. Germans have not left Germany at all but have compulsorily transferred as workers to danger areas. 23.4.41 A farmer in Occupied France noticed a swallow Dissemination by RU. [Translation: ‘Long live de with something attacjed to its leg. He caught it and Gaulle. We’ll have them.’] found that it was a message from Africa on which was written, ‘Vive de Gaulle. On les aura.’ S/552 Senior officers in the French Armed Services [Reconstructed] refuse to recognise the legitimacy of orders issued by Darlan. 26.4.41 The Germans cut foreign workers pay by 20% after Dissemination by RU. the first month, 30% after the second. S/585 Laval and Darlan have been given awards for war [Reconstructed. Hitler’s birthday was 20 April]. 25 services by Hitler as part of his 52 nd birthday celebrations. 15 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

1.5.41 S/588 A French workman of La Pallice was shot for Dissemination by Agency X. killing a German NCO. He killed the NCO and [The Croix de Lorraine was the symbol of the Free wounded another German soldier when he French]. discovered them torturing a French schoolboy in order to make him confess where he got his Croix de Lorraine. S/591 The body of Jean Fontenoy, a Paris leader of the [Reconstructed. Jean Fontenoy (1899­1945) was a Rassemblement Nationale Populaire, has been member of the PPF, served as an intermediary found in the Seine, with a notice, ‘Traitor’, pinned between Laval and Abetz, and was involved in the to it. foundation of the Movement Social Révolutionnaire (MSR) and the RNP. He wrote for several collaborationist newspapers in Paris including the Révolution Nationale “where there appeared periodic rumours of his suicide or assassination.” 26 8.5.41 S/634 Foreign workers who are in Germany are told that Dissemination by Agency X. if they do not write home praising their conditions, the allowances paid to their families will not be remitted. 11.5.41 When the amalgamation of the French and German Dissemination by RU. motor industries is completed in June there will be compulsory subscriptions for a French ‘people’s car’, which will turn out to be a tank, just as the Volkswagen did. 11.5.41 Mein Kampf is forbidden reading in France. Hitler Dissemination by RU. ordered this because, he said, ‘If the French people knew what I mean to do to them it would be the end of the collaboration.’ 11.5.41 Rosenberg said in a speech in Danzig last week, Dissemination by RU. ‘By holding 2,000,000 French prisoners for twelve [Alfred Rosenberg (1893­1946) was an extreme months, we have already stopped 150,000 French Nazi and senior within the Party]. 27 babies being born. Consider what a gain that is for Germany.’ 16 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

11.5.41 German mathematicians have worked out schemes Dissemination by RU. to make the whole French race die out by 1980. One part of the scheme is to send millions of young Frenchmen to forced labour in Germany. 14.5.41 S/633 Women workers who go to Germany have their Dissemination by Agency X. hair shaved close on the pretext that they have lice, but in fact human hair is urgently needed in Germany for use as string, of which Germany is very short. 14.5.41 S/671 On May 10 th the German newspapers said Joan of Dissemination by Agency X. Arc was a German, because she had fair hair and came from Lorraine. S/672 In Alsace­Lorraine, the Germans have forbidden [Reconstructed] the wearing of basque berets on penalty of imprisonment in a concentration camp, and forbidden the speaking of French, on pain of death. 14.5.41 S/676 Herr Abetz recently told Laval that Germany’s Dissemination by Agency X. final peace terms to France would not be published until after the war. ‘If they were’, he laughed, ‘you and Darlan would be assassinated within twelve hours. The whole nation would be de Gaulliste.’ S/677 French pilots dressed in Luftwaffe uniforms have [Reconstructed. See R/264 below, a similar rumour been stealing German aircraft and flying them to which was rejected.] England. 14.5.41 S/678 On Joan of Arc’s Feast Day the Vatican newspaper Dissemination by Agency X. said ‘If the Maid were alive today, she would be a de Gaulliste.’ 20.5.41 S/715 Scapini’s visit to French prisoners in Germany was Dissemination by Agency X. for the purpose of secretly recruiting men to fight [Translation: ‘Sir, you are doubly blind.’] against Britain. A colonel to whom he made the suggestion said, ‘Monsieur, vous êtes doublement aveugle.’ 17 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

20.5.41 S/718 Paris dry­cleaners are using a fairly strong acid in Dissemination by Agency X. their dry­cleaning of German officers’ uniforms, so that holes appear in them a few days after they are returned. 24.5.41 Stevedores at Casablanca have refused to load Dissemination by Agency X. ships with cargoes destined for Germany via Marseilles. Six hundred stevedores left the quays shouting ‘Vive de Gaulle’. They could not be arrested because they are needed to load the ships. At present all shipping is at a standstill. 24.5.41 The German plan is for a new French aristocracy Dissemination by Agency X. as before 1793. Two hundred ruling families are to intermarry with Germans to form a Franco­German ruling class. Darlan is to be Duke of Freiburg and Orléans. 24.5.41 A Franco­German bank combine is being formed Dissemination by Agency X. to which all vineyard owners will be forced to sell their holdings. They will receive the land back as feudal tenants of a new Franco­German Coblenz aristocracy. 24.5.41 The reason why Rato, the Japanese ambassador, Dissemination by Agency X. had to present photographic credentials to Darlan was because Pétain is too gaga to receive him. 24.5.41 Hitler agreed with Matsuoka that Japan should take Dissemination by Agency X. over French Indochina by infiltration at the same [Yosuke Matsuoka was the Japanese Foreign time as the fresh German collaboration drive, Minister]. 28 stipulating that it should be done legally. 24.5.41 German soldiers in Paris are to be seen walking Dissemination by Agency X. about with a ‘V’ chalked on their backs: this is done by making a ‘V’ on the palm of the hand with soft chalk and applying it in a crowd e.g. at the Metro. 18 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

24.5.41 Three women and seven children were trampled to Dissemination by Agency X. death by German soldiers rushing to an air­raid shelter in Lorient. S/776 British paratroops are now destroying German [Reconstructed] installations in Northern France, catching the soldiers off­guard. On their way to escape boats waiting at the coast, they collect volunteers for the Free French forces. The attacks take place at the same time as heavy RAF raids on other installations in France. S/795 Achard, the Vichy Minister of Food, has been [Reconstructed] imprisoned because he was sponsoring the black market. 2.6.41 The thirteenth body at Abbeville has been found. It Dissemination by Agency X. was a labourer who was working on a German aerodrome. A ‘V’ had been cut in his forehead, as had been the case with the preceding victims, who were all, openly or secretly, collaborators. 6.6.41 S/858 A Frenchman evacuated to Morocco was given in Dissemination by Agency X. change a clean 500­franc note bearing the same serial number as an old one that he had in his note case. 6.6.41 Darlan is a freemason Dissemination by Agency X. [All secret societies, including the Freemasons, had been abolished by a Vichy law of 13.8.40, which required members to declare themselves. A further ban was issued in May 1941, but by 1943 the purge was recognised as futile]. 29 6.6.41 A French workman who had been sent to Germany Dissemination by Agency X. was recently sent home to St.­Denis. His wife did not recognise him. His face had been burnt off in an RAF raid. 19 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

6.6.41 Three hundred French workmen blinded in the Dissemination by Agency X. recent British raid on Cologne have just returned to [Cologne had most recently been bombed on 27/28 Paris. May, but with relatively light damage, and only 11 dead and 39 injured]. 30 6.6.41 A refuge has been opened in Auteuil for French Dissemination by Agency X. workers who have had both legs blown off during RAF raids in Germany. 6.6.41 A French worker back from Germany, who had Dissemination by Agency X. had both legs and arms blown off, is still alive in the Miseracordia Hospital in Paris. He is fed with a pump. 6.6.41 60,000 to 100,000 prisoners ‘released’ have in fact Dissemination by Agency X. been kept in Germany as workers for Hamburg and the Ruhr. 6.6.41 150 families of French workers in Germany Dissemination by Agency X. accepted the Germans’ offer to go and live with their husbands: when they got there, the children were sent off to youth camps and the wives made to work in different towns. 6.6.41 Belin has ordered duplicates of the Recensement Dissemination by Agency X. des Activités Professionelles in Unoccupied France on July 17 th [sic] to be sent to Herr Michel at the German Bureau du Travail at Paris. 9.6.41 DIR 1) Build up de Gaulle in any way possible. Hence that he is going to be recognised, etc. 2) Anything we can do to offset the loss of Crete in order to keep alive in France the certainty of our ultimate victory. 3) Any sibs of an operational nature. S/872 For his birthday, Laval received a case of [Reconstructed. Laval’s birthday was 28 June. Champagne from Ribbentrop, and a skull­and­ Joachim von Ribbentrop (1893­1946) was the crossbones from the Club des Damnés. German foreign minister. He had been a champagne salesman in earlier life]. 31 20 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

S/928 Designed to imply preparations for an eventual [See Sibs R/474 and R/475] to invasion. S/950 S/947 French saboteurs of the ‘V Army’ have derailed a [Reconstructed.] German train. 14.6.41 Darlan does not allow Pétain to see the ordinary Dissemination by Agency X. edition of Figaro, but arranges for a special copy to be printed. 14.6.41 Women foreign workers who go to Germany find Dissemination by Agency X. that, in common with the Poles and Jews, they are not allowed sanitary towels as an economy measure. S/1020 French volunteers have found themselves taken by [Reconstructed] train to work in Germany. S/1015 The Germans intend to requisition French pigs. [Reconstructed] S/1025 Germany is determined to destroy France, and to [Reconstructed] this end will remove property and resources. S/1027 The French have been threatened with communal [Reconstructed] fines as a means for the Germans to punish them. 20.6.41 You know, of course, that it was Darlan who gave Dissemination by Agency X. the flag of the ‘Bretagne’ to the RNP for their meeting? 20.6.41 The thing you must always remember about Darlan Dissemination by Agency X. is that he comes from Nerac and that is Chautemps country. How he kept his name out of the Stavisky affair is a mystery to me. 24.6.41 DIR 1) Darlan will attempt to bring France back into the war by exploiting non existent Communist bogey. 2) Hitler is even more anti­God than Stalin. [The Germans had launched their invasion of Russia on 22 June 1941]. 32 21 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

July ‘41 Pierre Pucheu and Yves Bouthillier have a corrupt [Pierre Pucheu (1898­1944) had just become association with the Banque Worms. Minister of the Interior. Yves Bouthillier was Minister of Finance]. 33 1.7.41 DIR 1) Encourage people to think that the Russian campaign is proving a strain on the German war machine i.e. the Germans cannot adequately carry on air warfare on two fronts, they are anxious to keep the goodwill of the French workers at this moment because they need French industries etc. Attempt to build up a state of mind in French which fears less German efficiency and might. 2) Show that Darlan’s policy of collaboration has brought no advantage to the French but only is a cover to hide German exploitation of France. 1.7.41 The 4,000 sailors released from prison camps are Dissemination by Agency X. to be used, by agreement with Darlan, to fill in the enormous gaps in the U­boat crews. 4.7.41 Two Luftwaffe pilots were arrested in civilian Dissemination by Agency X. clothes in Maxim’s bar in Paris for ‘overstaying [Maxim’s was a famous belle époque restaurant their leave’. Actually, their nerve had gone. that quickly became the favoured meeting point for high society collaborationists and German officers]. 34 8.7.41 DIR 1) Encourage the belief that catastrophic inflation is imminent. 2) Continue stories illustrating the weakening of German military and air forces in the west, owing to their offensive against Russia, so as to create an atmosphere favourable to action on the part of the French people. S/1032 Designed to imply preparations for an eventual [See Sibs R/474 and R/475] to invasion. S/1050 11.7.41 S/1050 The Germans are spreading rumours that the Dissemination by Agency X. British are going to land 50 divisions in France. Of course, it’s just a trick by Hitler and Goebbels to incite French, Belgian and Dutch people to open revolt. There is no truth in the rumour, but of course lightning raids are another kettle of fish. 22 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

S/1103 French prisoners of war have been deliberately [Reconstructed] infected with disease before being returned home. German drugs for sale in France will cause debility. S/1132 Darlan’s position as active head of the Vichy [Reconstructed.] Government is being challenged by Pucheu. 11.7.41 Near Cambrai a German troop train was derailed Dissemination by Agency X. last week by a sleeper laid across the track. After that traffic was stopped for four days and guards were posted along the line. 11.7.41 It is useless for Germans to station single men to Dissemination by Agency X. guard any length of railway track near Metz. What happens is that the sentry is found dead next morning with at least twenty yards of track torn up. 11.7.41 The French railway workers are certainly helping Dissemination by Agency X. the Russians defeat Hitler. Last week alone, the railway track was sabotaged in at least 15 places between Rennes and St.­Brieuc. If it goes on like this the Germans will need to withdraw at least 30 divisions from the East to guard the railways in France and Belgium. 11.7.41 Everybody is having great fun at Valenciennes Dissemination by Agency X. changing the labels on all goods trucks passing from Germany to the troops on the Channel coast. Last week some sheels urgently needed at Calais turned up in a siding in Auxerre. The Boche was furious. 23 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

11.7.41 It has become a great game in Rouen, misdirecting Dissemination by Agency X. goods wagons carrying supplies to German troops on the Channel coast. All you do is change the label of the wagon and it starts wandering round France. The championship is held by a man from Rouen who sent two wagons for ammunitions intended for German troops at Le Havre right through to Milan. 11.7.41 I cannot tell you how mad the Boche are getting at Dissemination by Agency X. Brest. None of their shells or ammunition ever seem to arrive from Germany just because people change the labels on goods wagons at places on the route. 11.7.41 The railway workers at Charleville have hit on a Dissemination by Agency X. grand way of helping Russia. They have been pulling up railways tracks between Charleville and Hirsch and the Germans have had to draft 10,000 men to guard the line. 11.7.41 Darlan is going to take Raeder’s place Dissemination by Agency X. This might be put over as a joke. [Erich Raedar (1876­1960) was commander­in­chief of the German fleet].3 5 11.7.41 So much time has been lost by recent RAF raids Dissemination by Agency X. that the Germans have ordered that air­raid sirens shall not be sounded in northern France. 11.7.41 The Germans have ordered hald the refrigeration Dissemination by Agency X. plant at De La Villette to be dismantled and taken to Germany. 11.7.41 In Paris lots of people are putting their money into Dissemination by Agency X. shares, now that they know inflation of the franc is coming quickly. It’s silly, because a 5% dividend on a million francs’ worth of shares will not buy you a box of matches next year. 24 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

15.7.41 DIR 1) Stories to show that Russia was already before the outbreak of hostilities beginning to abandon aggressive internationalism and atheism, and Stalin is glad of this opportunity to swing back from extreme Communism. 2) Statements made about the ‘polenization’ of France made by highly­placed Nazis in recent months, including Rudolf Hess. [‘Polenization’ i.e. doing to France what had and what was being done to Poland. Rudolf Hess (1894­1987) had been Hitler’s deputy. In May 1941 he flew to Scotland to plead for peace, but was denounced as mad by both sides]. 36 18.7.41 200,000 of our [French] prisoners have been sent Dissemination by Agency X. to the Russian Front for pioneer work, and 15,000 have already been killed or have died of malaria in the Pripet Marshes. 18.7.41 Hitler hopes the British do bomb Paris to bits, Dissemination by Agency X. because he intends Munich to be the world’s cultural centre after the war. 18.7.41 Two workers who stole a kilo of sugar from the Dissemination by Agency X. canteen of a textile factory near Lille are now in hospital in a coma. 22.7.41 DIR 1) The Vichy Government is being forced by German pressure to hand Indo­China over to the Japanese. Darlan and Laval are conniving in this move. 2) Encourage the idea that there is considerable dissension inside the Vichy Government itself, owing to private and personal feuds. 3) Instances of food requisitioning by the Germans, with the results on the French working classes, including small riots, especially by women. 29.7.41 DIR 1) The Vichy Government’s reasons for asking Japan to protect Indo­China from the British are so blatant as to call for more explanations as to individual motives: hate of Great Britain and personal gain. 2) Stories of dissension within Germany. 3) Hitler’s judgement (cf. Russian adventure) has at last become enfeebled as a cumulative result of years of carpet­eating, epilepsy and so on. 1.8.41 R/177 Scapini has been told that the release of prisoners Yes, by FO [See Sib R/242] has been held up. The Germans can’t get any instructions out of Hitler in his present frame of mind. 25 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

1.8.41 R/178 Evil­smelling parcels, like the ones sent to Laval, Yes, by FO have begun to arrive for Darlan. His birthday is on the 7 th. 5.8.41 DIR 1) Spread stories emphasising dissensions in the Vichy Government. 2) Spread stories that Hitler is going insane and has made an appalling blunder in his eastern war. 8.8.41 DIR Hitler’s megalomaniac paranoia is getting rapidly Yes, by FO Dissemination by SOE and Agency X. SD/7 worse. He can’t bear any contradiction or opposition. He is in constant fear of assassination. His memory is becoming confused. There is great secrecy about his movements. 8.8.41 R/183 Sauerbruch (Hitler’s doctor) visiting Switzerland Yes, by FO The following sibs, R/183­R/190, are intended to told Professor Jung that Hitler isn’t at the Russian suggest that the Fuhrer, who is alone responsible in front at all, but at Berchtesgaden suffering from the face of a good deal of opposition for the violent epileptic fits. Russian campaign, is becoming more and more 8.8.41 R/184 Sauerbruch has been having long consultations Yes, by FO unbalanced as he realises his gamble is miscarrying. about Hitler with Tonnis (surgeon in charge of all German brain hospitals). [Douaumont had been one of the outer forts 8.8.41 R/185 Hitler’s paranoia has reached the point where he Yes, by FO protecting Verdun in 1916. Although taken by the suffers from delusions. He has an uncontrollable Germans on 25 February, it was recaptured eight fear that his moustache is growing more and more months later, marking the final failure of the like Stalin’s, and he has it shaved every morning German offensive. Ernst Röhm (1887­1934), was much closer than usual. an early supporter of Hitler, and had led the 8.8.41 R/186 In one of Hitler’s fits at GHQ before Smolensk he Yes, by FO Sturmabteilung (SA). He was murdered during the shouted ‘Douaumont, Douaumont, we’ll get that Night of the Long Knives purge in 1934. Paul place yet.’ Joseph Goebbels (1897­1945) was the Nazi 37 8.8.41 R/187 Hitler sent for Belmonte (Bolivian Ambassador) Yes, by FO Minister of Propaganda]. and raged at him. ‘I send my best friend to Bolivia and you betray him! he roared. Belmonte eventually found that Hitler was referring to Röhm who he thought was still alive. 8.8.41 R/188 Hitler keeps talking of his platinum bullet. Yes, by FO 26 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

8.8.41 R/189 Whenever Hitler makes a speech the suicide rate Yes, by FO the next week goes up to double the usual. That’s why Goebbels persuaded him to read the last one. 8.8.41 R/190 When a report was brought to Hitler at GHQ about Yes, by FO the latest agreements with Vichy, he burst into a rage of impatience. ‘Why talk to them? he shouted. ‘Polonaise the Scheweinerai!’ 8.8.41 R/191 You’ll notice Hitler hasn’t said a word in public for Yes, by FO Dissemination by SOE and Agency X. more than three months. The doctors have warned him of the grave danger of another seizure. (Or, alternatively, ‘…It’s his throat. One general he can’t beat – General Cancer.’) 8.8.41 R/203 Darlan has told Menetral (Pétain’s doctor) that he Yes, by FO The following sibs, R/203­R/207, are designed to must keep Pétain alive for another month, no spread stories of dissension in Vichy, and once matter how many injections he has to give him. again to emphasise Pétain’s ill­health. 8.8.41 R/204 The interview between Deloncle and Huntziger Yes, by FO Sib R/207 is designed to encourage the idea of was very stormy, and the soldier on duty at the curés as ‘centres de resistance’. door heard Huntziger say, ‘Get out before I shoot [Bernard Ménétrel was Pétain’s doctor, but Pétain’s you’. “robust health” allowed him to dabble in politics. 8.8.41 R/205 The signature on the decree which appointed Yes, by FO Eugène Deloncle (1890­1944) was an extreme Darlan over Weygand was not very like Pétain’s. right­wing leader who helped form the MSR, RNP People are saying it was Benoist­Mechin who and LVF. Charles­Léon Huntziger (1880­1941) was forged it. briefly head of the French delegation to the German 8.8.41 R/206 When Weygand heard of the decree putting Darlan Yes, by FO Armistice Commission. Jacques Benoist­Méchin over him, he said to Monick, his secretary, ‘Ça, (1901­1983) was Secretary of State for the Council c’est du papier du Vichy’. of Ministers under Vichy, and sought closer 38 8.8.41 R/207 There are now 122 French curés in German Yes, by FO collaboration with Germany]. concentration camps, because of their resistance and protests about requisitioning. 27 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

8.8.41 M. Berthelot (Transport Minister) has seen Laval. Dissemination by Agency X. Laval has offered him a directorship of the French railways when amalgamated if he, Berthelot, will join up with Laval. 8.8.41 After the interview Boucard (head of the Dissemination by Agency X. Francistes) had with Pétain, he told a friend: [Translation: ‘Pétain is more gaga than I had ‘Pétain est plus gaga que je ne pensais’. thought’.] 12.8.41 DIR 1) Stories to show that the Charte du Travail is merely a cover by which the Germans intend to control absolutely French labour. [The Charte du Travail was a labour charter made law by the Vichy Government in October 1941, which replaced the pre­war trade unions and employer federations with a obligatory corporatist structure of social and professional groups]. 39 2) Stories to provide counter action to the ‘blackmail of the prisoners.’ 15.8.41 R/238 Slave boats are being run from Marseilles to North Yes, by FO [See Sib R/347] Africa, to replace workers who have died of disease or been shot for indiscipline, while working on the Dakar Road. 15.8.41 R/239 Darlan has awarded the Legion d’Honneur to Yes, by FO [Paul Ferdonnet was a French journalist who Ferdonnet for his work in connection with the broadcast from Radio Stuttgart during the Phoney Franco­German entente. War, the French version of Lord Haw­Haw].4 0 15.8.41 R/240 The shortage of wine in France is largely due to the Yes, by FO fact that the troops in so many districts have been warned not to touch the water. 15.8.41 R/241 French stocks of wine will be right out by Yes, by FO Christmas 15.8.41 R/242 Scapini is back in Paris. Negotiations for the Yes, by FO [See Sib R/177] release of prisoners have been broken off indefinitely. The big losses on the eastern front make the release of prisoners quite out of the question. 28 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

15.8.41 R/243 The Charte du Travail is to come directly under Dr. Yes, by FO [The Comité d’organisation professionnelle acted Ley. All minutes of the Comite National et as a consultative committee within the Charte du Professionel were forwarded to Wiesbaden on his Travail structure].4 1 orders. 15.8.41 R/244 The Russians now have 280,000 German prisoners Yes, by FO who have been moved to Central Russia. This is the first guarantee that French prisoners will now be treated according to international law. 15.8.41 R/245 Pétain was allowed to write the beginning and the Yes, by FO [May refer to Pétain’s speech of 12 August in end of his speech himself. which he detected a “bad wind” blowing]. 42 15.8.41 R/246 Candles went up to 100 francs apiece in Bethune Yes, by FO [The RAF had bombed Bethune power station on after the RAF raid on the power station 17 June 1941]. 43 15.8.41 R/247 In returning the declaration of the Cardinal­ Yes, by FO Archbishops of France, the Cardinal Secretary of State asked the Cardinals to consider more closely the Papal Encyclical of 1939 ‘on the persecution of Catholics in Germany and Poland.’ 15.8.41 R/248 Hitler’s paranoia is taking the form of a revival of Yes, by FO [This was not too far from the truth. It was indeed his insane anti­Semitism. He has given instructions intended to kill all Russian Jews captured during that all Russians are to be examined and those that the invasion of Russia, and Special Task Forces had are circumcised are to be shot been set up for the purpose].4 4 15.8.41 R/249 The Japanese are levying a milliard [billion] francs Yes, by FO tax on the French in Indo­China for the defence of the colony. 15.8.41 R/250 The Japanese military have commandeered all the Yes, by JIC French official buildings in Saigon 15.8.41 R/251 The Münchner Illustrierte had a section devoted to Yes, by FO North Africa under the heading ‘North Africa and the Reich’. 29 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

15.8.41 M. Duchemin’s personal rake­off on the Kuhlmann Dissemination by Agency X. deal is 75 million francs, but he has to give 25,000,000 to François Lehideux. 15.8.41 Under the pretence of a typhoid injection, batches Dissemination by Agency X. of foreign workers in Germany have been injected [I.G. Farben was an important German chemical with Amnesin, a Farben product, which induces company, similar to the British ICI]. complete loss of memory. 15.8.41 One result of the conscription of women into Dissemination by Agency X. German industry is a heavy demand for foreign girls for the troops in the East. They sign on for work in Germany in order to join their husbands; and after a shot of this Amnesin, a Farben product, they do not remember who they are or where they came from. 19.8.41 DIR The British Intelligence Service is the omnipresent guardian of the French people. 22.8.41 R/260 Two members of the British Intelligence Service No, by SIS lunch regularly at Maxim’s in Paris, dressed as German officers. 22.8.41 R/261 ‘Pimpernel Smith’, whom the Germans are trying No, by SIS [The film Pimpernel Smith (1941) featured Leslie to catch in France, is really Col. Lawrence. Howard as a Cambridge professor who, as ‘The 22.8.41 R/262 A man who knew Col. Lawrence in Egypt in the No, by SIS Shadow’, helps anti­Nazi intellectuals escape from last war swears he saw him in Bethune two days Germany. Colonel T.E. Lawrence, the legendary before the last RAF raid. He said his hair had gone Lawrence of Arabia of the First World War, had quite white. been killed in a motorcycle accident in 1935].4 5 22.8.41 R/263 Col. Lawrence is head of the British Secret No, by SIS Service. He knew there was a war coming, and suggested that he should be ‘killed’ in an accident. 30 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

22.8.41 R/264 The British have got one of the new HE 177s. A No, by SIS [Compare with undated sib S.677 above, which was Secret Service man disguised as a mechanic flew it approved. The Heinkel He 177 was a new German over. The RAF will be ready for them, just as they heavy bomber, although it was discovered to be were for the ME109F. disappointing. The Messerschmitt Me 109F was an important German fighter].4 6 22.8.41 R/265 Two British Secret Service men got aboard a U­ No, by SIS boat by mixing with a relief crew from La Pallice. They tied up the officers, took charge of the submarine, and sailed her into Bristol. 22.8.41 R/266 The Gestapo are issuing new identity cards for No, by SIS their personnel because so many bogus Gestapo agents are about in France. The British Secret Service again. 22.8.41 R/282 Seventeen German soldiers from Cologne have Yes, by JIC [Cologne had been bombed seventeen times by the been shot near Arras for attempting to desert. They RAF since the beginning of June, most recently on had tried to visit their families who had not been 18/19 August. However, only a single building was heard of since the last bombing. damaged and no casualties were caused!] 47 22.8.41 The Paris Gestapo are in trouble. When the Dissemination by Agency X Wilhelmstrasse despatch case was opened at the Grillon yesterday it was found empty – except for a copy of The Times for that day. 22.8.41 A copy of The Times is found every morning on the doorstep of the Majestic Hotel. 26.8.41 DIR 1) Repeat British Intelligence Service stories, i.e. invisible Western Front Offensive now being built up. 2) The common plan of the USA, Britain and Russia forbids an immediate military invasion of the Continent. 31 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

27.8.41 The German medical authorities in dealing with Yes, but sent to the Dissemination by Agency X. wounded and sick French in the German hospitals UP Committee for From a French woman recently arrived in England. are using a treatment, based on injection, which drafting. The rumour apparently originates in the Faculté de aims at the suppression of the wounded patient by Medicine of Montpellier. a gradual process of drying out the heart. After one injection the effect can be remedied; after two it can only be remedied in rare cases; and after three injections is no longer curable. 27.8.41 The Germans are carrying out the suppression of Yes, but sent to the the aged and infirm throughout the departments of UP Committee for Alsace­Lorraine. redrafting. 29.8.41 R/301 Since the French communists have become the No, by FO. patriot party and no longer takes orders from Moscow, the Club des Damnés have affiliated themselves with them. 29.8.41 R/302 Colette was a member of the Club des Damnés. [Paul Colette had attempted to assassinate Laval and Déat on 27 August 1941].4 8 29.8.41 R/303 The Germans have begun to requisition all furs and [Comeback received. See below]. winter coats in France for use on the East Front during the winter. 2.9.41 DIR 1) Heavy German losses in men on Eastern front with consequent shortage of manpower in Germany. 2) Stories to prevent French workers from going to Germany. 5.9.41 R/337 The Sevres factory have [sic] received orders for Yes, by JIC The intention of sibs R/337­R/339 is to stress the 250,000 urns inscribed, ‘Gefallen fuer Fuehrer und heavy German losses on the Eastern Front with the Deutschland.’ consequent effect on the man­power problem. 5.9.41 R/338 Only one in ten of German wounded survives Yes, by JIC [The urn inscription translates to “Fallen for leader because of the impossibility of organised medical and Germany.”] services because of Russian guerrillas attacking all communications. 5.9.41 R/339 They are reduced to using Jews for blood Yes, by JIC transfusions on the Eastern Front. 32 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

5.9.41 R/340 The hours of foreign workers in Germany have Yes, by JIC As a pendant to R/337­R/339, the following sibs, been increased to 14 hours a day on a six­day R/340­R/342 are intended to discourage workers week. from going to Germany. 5.9.41 R/341 You know what German workers say to French Yes, by JIC workers in Germany: ‘We are fools, but you are fools and traitors.’ 5.9.41 R/342 300 French building workers who accepted to go to Yes, by JIC Germany found themselves landed on the Smolensk front, where they are building fortifications under fire. 5.9.41 R/343 A new Free French destroyer is to be christened Yes, by FO The purpose of sibs R/343­R/346 is to build up ‘Paul Colette’. Colette as a national hero. 5.9.41 R/344 English and American Roman Catholics are having Yes, by FO novenas for Colette. 5.9.41 R/345 A street in New Orleans has been renamed Yes, by FO ‘Avenue Paul Colette.’ 5.9.41 R/346 250,000 small busts of Paul Colette have already Yes, by FO been sold in America. 5.9.41 R/347 Vichy is finding it difficult to get officers for the Yes, by FO. [See Sib R/238] slave ships which transport Frenchmen from Marseilles for work on the Dakar road. The Club des Damnés are very strong in the southern ports. 5.9.41 R/348 The food shortage in France has been caused by Yes, by FO the Germans commandeering all transport. There are thousands of eggs going bad in Normandy. 9.9.41 DIR 1) Continue stories of German losses on Eastern Front with consequent drain on German man­power. 2) Stories which suggest that high members of the Vichy administration are turning against Pétain and the Vichy Government. 12.9.41 R/383 Hitler told Keitel, ‘The German staff agreed to two Yes, by JIC million dead for the invasion of Britain. Why all this panic now?’ 33 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

12.9.41 R/384 The B.d.M. have been asked to provide 5,000 girls Yes, by FO [The B.d.M. was the Bund deutscher Mädel, the to undergo short intensive training for signal German Girls’ League, the female equivalent of the working. Hitler Youth].4 9 12.9.41 R/385 The appointment of M. Jardel as General­Secretary Yes, by FO. Disseminationof R/385 by Agency X. to the Vice­Presidency was not a surprise. It was Jardel who enabled Darlan to stop the ‘complot’ of The following sibs, R/385­R/389, are designed to the Hotel de Parc. suggest trouble in the Vichy administration. 12.9.41 R/386 Darlan is said to be suffering from persecution Yes, by FO mania. The last Cabinet meeting was a riot because he accused nearly all the Ministers of sabotaging his plans. 12.9.41 R/387 An eminent theologian has declared that the Yes, by FO personal oath to Pétain, since it was taken under duress, does not bind the conscience. Pétain has demanded that the Cardinals of France give a ruling to the contrary. The matter has been referred to Rome. 12.9.41 R/388 In cinemas in Paris are shouting in unison ‘Bis – Yes, by FO Bis’ meaning the BIS (British Intelligence Service). The Germans are furious because they can do nothing about it. 34 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

12.9.41 R/389 Laval has demanded that Colette should be Yes, by FO executed face upwards under the guillotine.

[Paul Colette was sentenced to death for his attempted assassination on 1 October 1941, although this was later commuted and he was deported to Germany. The guillotine was the usual means of putting a condemned man to death and was last used in France in 1977].5 0 19.9.41 R/422 Lt. Weber of the Propaganda Staffel has issued Yes, by FO instructions to the Paris Press to start a campaign of news stories and articles proving that the winter campaign will not be fatal to the Germans. 19.9.41 R/423 With de Brinon’s collaboration, the Germans are Yes, by FO systematically mining all the principal factories and buildings of Paris. 19.9.41 R/424 Abetz is putting about a whispering campaign Yes, by FO trying to show that he is doing his best to save the French hostages. He, like many other Germans in the know, is convinced that Germany cannot now win and is trying to gain favour with the French. 19.9.41 R/425 The French Mediterranean fleet has only enough No, by JIC ammunition for 35 minutes firing. 35 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

19.9.41 R/426 The British stratosphere planes using infra­red No, by JIC photography have completed their survey of harbours containing French warships. The advantage is that nobody knows when these photographs are being taken. 26.9.41 R/474 50% of the total cement production of Britain has Yes, by JIC These sibs, R/474 and R/475, are intended to been requisitioned by the Ministry of Supply for reinforce former sibs (S/928­S/950, S/1032­S/1046) making new ‘fortress barges’. implying preparations for eventual invasion. 26.9.41 R/475 There was a full­scale ‘invasion’ of the Scilly Isles Yes, by JIC by a British armoured division. The new amphibian [Both would eventually become reality: the tanks were considered a success, and 5,000 have concrete ‘Mulberry harbours’ and duplex­drive been ordered for next spring. amphibious Sherman tanks used on D­Day]. 51 26.9.41 R/476 The German supervisors of a big motor factory are Yes, by FO worried by the unusual number of fuses that burn out every day. 30.9.41 DIR 1) Stories about Italian peace move from French angle. 2) Stories about German requisitioning due to the necessity of a winter campaign on the Eastern Front. 3.10.41 R/516 Darlan’s grandfather was a Prussian born at Yes, by FO Luneberg in 1820, who changed his name from Darlen. 3.10.41 You know why Bordeaux has been a ‘zone Dissemination by Agency X. interdite’ since the beginning of October, of course? The Germans don’t want it known that they’ve sent Russian prisoners there to work on clearing up the docks. That’s why the U­boats have been transferred to La Pallice – the crews are too fond of the Russians and what they stand for. 10.10.41 R/538 Darlan is now trying to spread it about that he Yes, by FO The purpose of the following sibs, R/538­R/542, is really has been pro­English all the time and that he to emphasise that Germany has already lost the war has been playing a game with the Germans. by suggesting division among the German high­ 36 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

10.10.41 R/539 Himmler persuaded Hitler to make that speech by Yes, by FO ups, ratting of collaboration­ists and Japanese etc. playing him secret records of conversations in Berlin air­raid shelters. 10.10.41 R/540 The Japanese have told Mr. Myron Taylor that Yes, by JIC whatever happens now Germany’s offensive power has been crippled for at least two years. 10.10.41 R/541 Wiedemann was granted only a transit visa by the Yes, by FO Japanese. 10.10.41 R/542 Japan has refused Nagasaki as a base for Pacific Yes, by FO raiders. 17.10.41 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 24.10.41 R/628 Goebbels has forged a round­robin in favour of Yes, by FO peace supposed to be sent from French prisoners­ of­war to Pétain. 24.10.41 R/637 The prostitutes of France have formed a subsidiary Yes, by FO branch of the Club des Damnés. It is known as the Soeurs de Jaël. 31.10.41 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 7.11.41 R/705 There are so many terrorists in Carente that the Yes, by FO [Carente may be Charente, home of the ports of La average life of a dock­foreman working for the Pallice and La Rochelle. Germans is three weeks. 7.11.41 R/706 [This sib has been erased from the file] 7.11.41 R/707 The original draft of the invitation to visit Germany Yes, by FO issued to sons of anciens combatants was seen in Paris by a 2eme bureau man. It bore the signatures of Doriot and Ley. 14.11.41 R/744 The proceeds of the Secours National are remitted Yes, by FO directly to Germany as a contribution to the Winter Help. 37 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

14.11.41 R/745 When the draft of the telegram to Col. Labonne, Yes, by FO head of the anti­Bolshevik Legion, was submitted to Pétain for his signature, he threw down his pen in disgust saying ‘Is there no one who can teach them French?’ 14.11.41 R/746 The American observers have furnished Knudsen Yes, by FO Also for Belgium. with a list of General Motors employees collaborating with the enemy. He has agreed that they will be dismissed with loss of all pension rights after the war. 14.11.41 R/747 Huntziger’s plane didn’t catch fire; it was set on Yes, by FO [General Huntziger died in a plane crash on 12 fire by Pucheu’s men to hide the bullet holes. November 1941].5 2 14.11.41 R/748 The German Fighter Squadron at Bordeaux had [Approval mark orders that on no account was Huntziger’s plane to erased by punch be allowed to arrive safely. hole] 14.11.41 R/749 There was quite a battle at La Pallice during the Yes, by JIC black­out. When it was cleared up it turned out that one party consisted of U­boat men and the other of German soldiers. Each mistook the other for a British raiding party. 14.11.41 R/750 A German officer created a scene at Weber’s the Yes, by FO other day. He said his drink was poisoned and the French waiter was arrested. The drink proved to be perfectly harmless. 14.11.41 R/751 All contact between occupation troops and German Yes, by FO wounded in French hospitals is forbidden. 14.11.41 R/752 Occupying troops are no longer allowed to attend Yes, by FO Mass in French churches. It appears that some of the curés have been reading extracts from Galen’s sermons. 38 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

14.11.41 R/753 French doctors called up to deal with the flow of Yes, by FO. German wounded in French hospitals seem to go in for surgery for surgery’s sake, and their only cure for anything is amputation. Two French surgeons have been shot for this. 21.11.41 R/788 The ‘spectre of Nantes’ is causing such panic Yes, by JIC [As a reprisal for the assassination of Lt.­Col. Hötz, among the German garrison that it is forbidden to the local German commander, fifty hostages were speak of it. Three soldiers have been shot for shot at Nantes on 21 October 1941].5 3 claiming to have seen it. 21.11.41 R/789 A member of the firing party that shot the Nantes Yes, by JIC. hostages was found raving mad in the execution square. He died two days later without recovering his sanity. 28.11.41 R/836 Two more members of the Nantes execution squad Yes, by JIC have gone mad and keep raving about ‘le spectre’. 28.11.41 R/837 There is a stop notice on any mention of the Yes, by FO ‘Banque Worms’ in the Vichy press. 28.11.41 R/838 Darlan is drinking even more heavily since Pucheu Yes, by FO has got the upper hand over the question of police control. R/859 Food for French workers in Germany is being [Reconstructed from comeback report for S/152]. tampered with to cause impotence and sterilisation. 5.12.41 R/879 There was a very awkward scene when Arenbach Yes, by FO This is designed for Paris only, and if possible, for met Alisch in Laval’s house. Abetz. 5.12.41 R/880 A German bomber had to land in the Vendee, Yes, by JIC. having run out of petrol. Not one man of the crew was ever found, though the aircraft was undamaged. 39 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

5.12.41 R/881 Vichy has agreed that since Italian sailors are Yes, by FO [See sibs R/906 and R/944 below. Hermann refusing to undertake the Libya trip, French crews Goering (1893­1946), commander­in­chief of the and vessels will be provided. A secret clause Luftwaffe, and also responsible for the German agreed between Darlan and Goering permits ships economy, 1940­1943].5 4 and crews to be used afterwards on the run between Tripoli and South Italy. 5.12.41 Deception of French workmen seems complete Dissemination by Agency X. when they are recruited for Berlin by Belin. [René Belin was an anti­Communist trade unionist who became Minister of Labour under Vichy]. 55 12.12.41 R/904 There was a mutiny at Casablanca when they heard No, by JIC that Darlan had agreed that units of the French Fleet in West African ports should make for Madagascar and then join up with the Japanese attack on the Dutch East Indies. 12.12.41 R/905 Japanese in Indo­China seized French officials who Yes, by JIC are opposed to their plundering and used them for bayonet practice. 12.12.41 R/906 Before setting out on a convoy, sailors are confined Yes, by JIC See R/944 below. to the ship and drugged. 19.12.41 R/940 Agreement was reached between Britain and [There is no original document dated 19.12.41 but America to permit American food imports to two dated 12.12.41. This is assumed to be an error France in return for bauxite to supply America’s made at the time, and the sibs contained in the aluminium industry. Vichy refused. second document, with higher code numbers, are 19.12.41 R/941 Pétain was inclined to accept the British offer to dated 19.12.41 here]. permit food imports to France provided the French fleet sailed for Martinique. After consultation with de Brinon, Darlan refused to agree. 19.12.41 R/942 The final Japanese bribe which won over Thailand Yes, by FO at the last minute was the offer to set up a greater Siamese Empire under Japanese protection. This will include the whole of French Indo­China. 40 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

19.12.41 R/943 German soldiers returning from France on 14 days Yes, by FO leaved have been warned that they will not be eligible for extra rations in Germany and should bring their provisions with them. 19.12.41 R/944 French sailors drugged and kidnapped in Toulon Yes, by JIC cafés are being forced to serve on Italian ships between Naples and Tripoli.

R/944 is a redraft of R/906, which was referred back for re­editing by the F.O. last week. 26.12.41 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France, or the relevant documents are missing. 1942 23.1.42 DIR Spread stories of nervousness among occupying troops, such as suicides, madness and desertion. Play up the Spectre of Nantes, SD/22 a ghost which terrorises those concerned in hostage shooting. 41 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

31.1.42 Abetz has failed to conceal the fact that the Dissemination by Agency X. Germans have not sufficient men to police the Forbidden Zones. This is important, since the abolition of the zones was put forward as a contre­ parti to German demands for passage of troops to Africa. He is now anxious to find out who blew the gaffe 7.2.42 Three u­boat men were arrested in a Lorient Dissemination by Agency X. brothel for singing “The Song of the U­Boat Man” which is violently anti­Hitler. They and five of the six girls who witnessed the scene were shot. One girl escaped. 6.3.42 The Germans have stationed a special bomber [From FO 898/314] and squadron at Evreux which drops bombs on civilian [See also Directive D.102 and rumours K/95, J/42­ 27.3.42 objectives in France after the RAF have raided J/43 and J/74­J/76 below. Reaction received, see more important factories. They then blame the below] British. 6.3.42 The Germans have decided to set up new industries [From FO 898/314] in unoccupied France as a result of the raid. 6.3.42 Lehideux received an insurance premium of 25 [From FO 898/314] million francs after the Renault raid. 13.3.42 Lone British ‘planes always go ten minutes in [From FO 898/314] advance of the main raiding forces against factories in occupied countries, to sound a warning siren. 13.3.42 The workmen at Renault were always locked in. [From FO 898/314. See Q.337 below]. On the night of the raid, the German foreman panicked, took away the keys, and left them to their fate. 13.3.42 Pucheu gave to the Germans a list of people who [From FO 898/314] were supposed to be in touch with the RAF, 42 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

13.3.42 Pétain has had to ask German officers not to attend [From FO 898/314] in future the funerals of victims of British air raids. 20.3.42 450 tanks were destroyed in the Renault raid. [From FO 898/314] These had been stored there owing to German transport difficulties. Q/337 German supervisors of French factories and [Reconstructed from comeback report. See below]. workshops lock the workers inside them. This means that they cannot escape when there is an air raid. Q/433 Laval suggested to Abetz that, to persuade the [Reconstructed from comeback report. See below. French people to accept his return to power, French Laval regained power as “head of Government” on POWs should be freed to begin work for the 18 April 1942]. 56 Germans. Q/871 When the Allies land in France, they will bring [Reconstructed from a comeback report. See uniforms and weapons to provide to volunteers. below]. 1943 1.1.43 N/684 The Axis­controlled Hungarian radio announced [Darlan had been assassinated in Algiers on the new of Darlan’s death 40 minutes before it 24.12.42].5 7 happened. 1.1.43 N/685 Mme. Darlan has refused the pension offered her [Gerd von Rundtedt (1875­1953) was the supreme by von Rundstedt. commander of German forces in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, October 1940 to June 1941 and March 1942 to July 1944].5 8 1.1.43 N/686 The Allied found at Gafsa in Tunisia the bodies of 15 French soldiers who had been taken as hostages by the Italians and had been starved to death. 8.1.43 N/735 The million people to be evacuated from Paris are all to be sent to strategic points in the North of France, where they will be forced on to the roads in the case of an Allied invasion. 43 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

8.1.43 N/736 The evacuation of a million people from Paris is part of von Rundstedt’s plan for accelerating the turning of the capital into a strongpoint and arsenal. 8.1.43 N/737 All French children of 12­18 whose fathers are working in Germany are to be conscripted as child labour. 8.1.43 N/738 Doriot has issued secret instructions to all members [The National Militia is probably one and the same of the PPF not to join the National Militia until he thing as the Milice française, which was formed on has been placed at the head of it. The next step is to 30 January 1943]. 59 absorb the National Militia into the ‘African Phalanx’. 15.1.43 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 22.1.43 N/826 The Germans have demanded the dismissal of half [Paul Marion (1899­1954) was head of propaganda Marion’s ministry. Far from having succeeded in services in the Vichy Government between August making the Germans popular, anti­German feeling 1941 and January 1944]. 60 has doubled since total occupation. 22.1.43 N/827 A large stock of olive oil was recently seized at Aix­en­Provence by the German Armistice Commission. This was to make up for the Germans’ loss of the North African stock which they had requisitioned. 22.1.43 N/828 A decree will shortly be signed whereby members of the Vichy forces will be given the option to join the National Militia or go to work in Germany. 22.1.43 N/829 Last week a member of the Paris Bourse was sent to prison for having marked up Suez Canal shares on receiving news of the Alamein battle. 22.1.43 N/830 Mussolini refused to allow King Victor Emmanuel [Benito Mussolini (1883­1945), dictator of Italy to drop the style Emperor. ‘After all, he’s Emperor 1922­1943. Victor Emmanuel III (1869­1947), of Tunis, Nice and Corsica, isn’t he?’ King of Italy, 1900­1946].6 1 44 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

29.1.43 N/876 The real truth about the Marseilles battle is that [Comeback received. See below. The Old Port of there was a colony of deserters in Vieux Port who Marseilles was destroyed on 24.1.43].6 2 fought fiercely. 29.1.43 N/877 The reason for the Marseilles clean­up was because seventy­two bodies of German soldiers were found in the Vieux Port in the last seven days. 29.1.43 N/878 After the latest round­up of Jews by the French police, 14 German deserters were found in one of the camps. 29.1.43 N/879 Rundstedt has asked for fifty divisions, even if this Also for Germany. means abandoning occupied Russia. The new [The Siegfried Line was a defensive line of pill­ Siegfried Line will not be ready for another boxes and minefields on Germany’s western eighteen months. frontier set up during the 1930s]. 63 29.1.43 N/880 Documents discovered by the British among the [See also sib N/938 below. The SOL was the North African Armistice Commission included: Service d’Ordre Légionnaire which became the (a) Correspondence re Doriot’s proposed coup Milice Française]. 64 d’etat in Algiers (b) A list of 53 Algerian workmen who had been shot in Hamburg for refusal to take part in demolition work after raids. (c) A document relative to the sale to Laval by the Germans of a 20% participation in the Lesieur oil distributing company. (d) A list of eight members of the SOL recommended for the Iron Cross for resisting Allied invasion. (e) Instructions issued to all officers in the case of an Allied invasion of France. These were dated October 1942. 45 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

5.2.43 N/934 A worker in the North of France noticed that one of [Stalingrad was the scene of bloody and largely the guns on the fortification was a dummy. A static fighting in 1942­43. The Germans suffered German soldier said “Yes, the original is at massive losses]. 65 Stalingrad.” 5.2.43 N/935 Ten German soldiers have been court­martialled for disobeying an order to travel in the first coach of a train in the north of France. 5.2.43 N/936 The National Militia is to be armed and fully [OKW was the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, the trained by German officers. The OKW have German high command]. decided that they can spare no more troops for the defence of France and that this is the only alternative. 5.2.43 N/937 The directors of all labour­recruiting bureaus in [Fritz Sauckel (1894­1946) was head of the German France have been sent a circular from Sauckel to foreign labour conscription programme].6 6 the effect that their failure to harness French labour was the direct cause of the latest conscription measures in Germany. 5.2.43 N/938 Drouillet, one of Laval’s business agents has been arrested by the Germans in Paris for attempting to trade with North Africa after its occupation by the Allies. He is known to have corresponded with the director of the Lesieur oil company in Algiers. 5.2.43 N/939 The pro­Boche Mayor of Liège, Camille Remaele, has been removed to a lunatic asylum in consequence of incessant telephone calls asking for his measurements – for a coffin, naturally. People telephoned him not only at his office in Liège, but at his home in Seraing­sur­Meuse. 46 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

12.2.43 N/986 5,000 workers of the Todt organisation near [The Todt organisation, named after its creator Dr. Marseilles went on strike last week because 50 of Fritz Todt, specialised in war construction]. 67 their comrades had gone down with the plague owing to the demolition of the Vieux Port, and the escape of hundreds of rats. 12.2.43 N/987 The reason the Germans have demanded the evacuation of Lorient is to cover the fact that they have had to abandon it as a base. 12.2.43 N/988 The last raid on Lorient conclusively proved that [Lorient was heavily, and successfully, bombed on some of the U­boat shelters were defective. Twelve 4/5, and 7/8 February (and again on 13/14 of them collapsed completely, destroying the U­ February).] 68 boats as they were setting out, and trapping the crews who were all suffocated. 12.2.43 N/989 Lately all Frenchmen in the Metro have been See also sib S/475 above. getting up and raising their hats as the train stops at the Porte de la Chapelle station. 19.2.43 L/39 Recently a submarine, known to have been serviced in Lorient, was found drifting by a British destroyer. All the crew were suffocated to death, a hatch having been sabotaged. 19.2.43 L/40 Germany is sending back all members of the Commissariat­General for French labour in Germany who are not members of the PPF. 27.2.43 L/78 117 German deserters have already been caught trying to cross the demarcation line since it has been modified. Forty­five of them were members of U­boat crews. 27.2.43 L/79 Oberg has offered 10,000 francs to every French [Karl or Carl Albrecht Oberg (1897­1965) was head policeman who successfully catches a German of the German police in Occupied France].6 9 deserter. 47 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

27.2.43 L/80 A secret clause in the new agreement Laval made with the Germans is that the 50,000 prisoners to be released will be drafted into labour gangs to help reinforce the fortifications in the north. 27.2.43 L/81 Demobilised French sailors sent as workers to Germany are to be conscripted for submarine crews. 27.2.43 L/82 The Germans have demanded another five million tons of coal for emergency troop movements. 27.2.43 L/83 German troop movements from north to south and back from south to north have been so frequently late that several towns have had their deliveries of food stopped for a week. 5.3.43 L/111 Because of the sinking of the Toulon fleet, Laval [Those elements of the French Fleet which had has arranged for deportation of officers and ratings survived the British attack at Mers­el­Kébir in July concerned to Germany. 1940, had been scuttled at Toulon on 27 November 1942].7 0 5.3.43 L/112 Among Jews now being sent to concentration camps are a large number of Aryans who had been heard to criticise Pétain. “To criticise me is to act in a non­Aryan manner” Pétain has declared. 5.3.43 L/113 A prisoner’s wife employed as a civil servant was told that she would have her salary doubled if she would bear a child for the Marshal. 5.3.43 L/114 A delegation composed of demobilised officers of the Vichy army (some of them escaped prisoners of war) recently attempted to see Pétain to ask him to take steps to protect them against conscription for work in Germany, as this was incompatible with the honour of their profession. Pétain refused. 12.3.43 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 48 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

19.3.43 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 26.3.43 L/211 Twenty­three German officials formerly guarding the demarcation line mutinied on receiving instructions to go to the Eastern front. 26.3.43 L/212 A message was sent by the chief of the Gardes Mobiles at Annecy to the insurgents in Savoy that unless they gave themselves up, their wives and children would suffer. When they did not, one of them was brought a parcel containing a handful of child’s hair torn out by the scalp. 26.3.43 L/213 During the Savoy rising German agents were instructed to spread the news that an Allied landing was imminent. 26.3.43 L/214 Seventeen of the alleged leaders of the Savoie rising were castrated by the express order of Laval who said that such men should not be allowed to breed the future generation of France. 26.3.43 L/215 Laval is about to sign a decree extending the compulsory labour scheme to all French people outside Metropolitan France; those refusing to return will be deprived of French nationality. 2.4.43 L/259 Gabold, the new Minister for Justice, only recently [Otto Thierack was President of the German returned from Germany, where he had been the People’s Court].7 1 guest of Thierack whose methods he studied. 2.4.43 L/260 A people’s court is to be set up in France on the German model. 2.4.43 L/261 Many of the boats being used to evacuate the Germans from North Africa are still flying the French flag. 49 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

2.4.43 L/262 All the French prisoners captured in North Africa by the Germans and released on Hitler’s orders have now been conscripted into AA defences in France. 9.4.43 L/296 Déat has come to an agreement with the Germans whereby the female relatives of prominent members of the RNP will be exempt from labour service in Germany. 9.4.43 L/297 One of the main reasons for conscripting young French women is that the Germans are worried over the rising French birthrate. Pregnancy will therefore not be a ground for exemption; children will be taken away from mothers on birth, in Germany. 9.4.43 L/298 Both Goebbels and Himmler have ordered that the photograph of the best­looking French girls conscripted for work in Germany shall be submitted to them. 16.4.43 L/330 The reason for the hurry in requisitioning French workers is that so many prisoners are now too weak to work that the Germans need men to replace them. 16.4.43 L/331 Bergery, French Ambassador to Turkey, gets 5000 [Bergery served as Vichy Ambassador to the dollars a month from the German Foreign Office. USSR, March­June 1941, and to Turkey, April 1942­September 1944].7 2 16.4.43 L/332 Requisitioned food from the south of France is being flown in French planes to the German army in Tunisia. Hence the sudden shortage in the south. 16.4.43 L/333 The Germans have requisitioned large stocks of food, and are storing them in the south of France for Rommel’s evacuated army. 50 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

23.4.43 L/360 French workers are being shipped as ballast from Tunisia to work in Germany. 23.4.43 L/361 Pétain has agreed to the removal of all metal memorial plaques in churches for scrap. Three­ quarters of this will be sent to the Germans. 23.4.43 L/362 A policeman at Auxerre who discovered and reported a stock of butter which he thought to be Black Market, has been arrested by the Germans. 23.4.43 L/363 Two ships a week sail from Corsica to Sardinia laden with macaroni. This explains the large quantity of macaroni shipped to the island from Marseilles. 23.4.43 L/364 On entering Tunis Allied troops found dead Sibs L/364 and L/365 are designed for use when children cut up as butchers meat in the German Tunis falls. Army stores. Portions of them had already been issued as pork ration. Typically enough, the Germans had filed their identity cards. 23.4.43 L/365 On entering Bizerta, Allied troops found a number of Frenchmen crucified on doors of houses. They were still alive, but unconscious. The removal of the first man set off a mine, which killed three French soldiers. 30.4.43 L/395 The women who have been evacuated from Westphalia to Lorrach, Freiburg, Rudolfszell and Mulhouse will be allowed to requisition French girls as servants. 30.4.43 L/396 All war medals are to be collected as scrap for the Germans. Pétain has already surrendered his military medals. 51 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

30.4.43 L/397 On his birthday, Pétain gave the names of 87 hostages to the Germans to be arrested in the next round­up. 30.4.43 L/398 On de Pellepoix’s orders two Jews were crucified on Good Friday at Le Verdon camp. 30.4.43 L/399 Details of the new “Parti Unique Secret” are [The Parti Unique Secret appears to have been a becoming known in Vichy. It was formed by Laval British fabrication]. 73 and is largely composed of bankers and business magnates. Its object is to obtain an economic stranglehold on the country by the merger of banking and financial interests. 7.5.43 L/434 Gabolde, the new Minister of Justice, has been [“Synarchie” was based in part on the prewar Pacte ordered by Laval to liquidate the ‘Synarchie’ synarchique, which called for a revolution from movement, to seize its funds and appropriate them above to form a technocratic imperialist state. Its on behalf of the Parti Unique Secret. This party is reemergence in 1941 was used by Vichy to spread the only secret society allowed in France. rumours of just such a plot – as well as by the British!]. 74 7.5.43 L/435 Laval has promised Hitler that in future all Frenchmen conscripted will be taken into the Todt organisation and put under military discipline. 7.5.43 L/436 In some rural districts the Germans are fraternising with the French peasants and trying to discover their methods of cultivation, as those interested in farming have been promised a certain acreage in France after the war. 14.5.43 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 21.5.43 L/516 When von Rundstedt heard of the surrender of the German army in North Africa, he addressed his staff and said ‘We are lost, but we must make sure that as many Frenchmen get killed as in the last war.’ 52 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

21.5.43 L/517 Ten thousand workers of the Todt organisation [Bombers from 617 Squadron, RAF, launched the (most of them French) have been hastily famous attack on 16/17 May 1943, breaching the transferred from building the Atlantic Wall to the Möhne and Eder dams].7 5 Ruhr to clear up the damage caused by the breaking of the two dams. 21.5.43 L/518 Five hundred and thirty eight French workers [The total casualties for the Dams raid is believed including 105 women were drowned by the flood to be 1,294. Of these, 493 were foreigners, mostly caused by the smashing of the dams in the Ruhr. Ukrainian women landworkers or prisoners of war].7 6 21.5.43 L/519 The Germans are at once starting to harness all electric power in the east of France to compensate their loss caused by the smashing of the dams. 21.5.43 L/520 Masson has been appropriating for himself a large [André Masson was put in charge of the Prisoner of number of family allowances which should have War Commissariat].7 7 been paid to the families of workers now in Germany. He then has the worker’s employer prosecuted for failing to pay it, closes his factory down and thus releases more men for work in Germany. 21.5.43 L/521 Pétain’s rumoured illness was a heart attack, caused by a scene made by another mother whose boy had been conscripted for work in Germany. 21.5.43 L/522 Sound cattle are requisitioned by the purchasing commission and pronounced fit for human consumption so that they need not be paid for; they are then used for meat for German officers. 28.5.43 L/560 Orders were given in Bordeaux that the rescue [Bordeaux had last been bombed on 26/27 January parties after the bombing were to be hindered in as 1943, and then only by three aircraft. It was not many ways as possible in order to increase the bombed again until April 1944]. 78 casualties among Frenchmen. 53 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

28.5.43 L/561 5,000 tons of tinned fish have been sent to bombed towns in Germany. This fish was originally promised to the French public who registered for it months ago. 28.5.43 L/562 A Frenchwoman went to Germany with her husband to work and recently gave birth to a healthy baby in hospital. When the child was brought back to her it was miserable and died soon afterwards. Her own had been given to a German mother in exchange. 28.5.43 L/563 Constitutional Act No.13 was signed by Pétain on the 17 th May. It nominates Laval chief­of­state in place of Pétain. Laval has not allowed it to be published but has held in reserve. 28.5.43 L/564 Half of the trained civil defence personnel in both zones is to be conscripted for civil defence in Germany. 4.6.43 L/603 The Germans are issuing forged ration cards in order to incense the population further against the food distribution service. This is the first step towards the distribution of food being taken over completely by the Germans. 4.6.43 L/604 Plans have now been made by the Germans to force those French workers in Germany at the time of the coming battle of Germany to take part in the operations. 4.6.43 L/605 Owing to the shortage of doctors Laval has given orders that no free medical attention is to be given to old people. 4.6.43 L/606 Andre Masson has been taking bribes for arranging the release of certain prisoners. 54 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

4.6.43 L/607 All well­educated Frenchmen sent to work in Germany are given the heaviest labour and longest hours, and are paid only 75 pfennigs an hour. This to sap their energy and prevent them from organising discontent. 11.6.43 DIR We should plug the Parti Unique Secret (of which Pétain is nominal head); the line is that it is now negotiating an agreement D.9 with anti­Hitler German industrialists, etc., for a post­war Franco­German anti­Bolshevik bloc. Meanwhile Laval is himself playing off the Italians against the Germans. 11.6.43 L/639 Pétain has left Vichy for La Bourboule to be near the Spanish frontier to contact his friends of the Latin bloc. 11.6.43 L/640 Ménétral, Pétain’s private secretary, has [Ménétral didn’t disappear: he was faithful to disappeared with documents proving Laval’s Pétain, joining him in exile in Sigmaringen in dealings with Italians and Spaniards. 1944].7 9 11.6.43 L/641 Two people were killed in a clash in Paris last week between members of Deat’s Milice Revolutionnaire Nationale and members of the Parti Unique Secret, which has been involved in the attempted overthrow of Laval. 11.6.43 L/642 Attacks on the Church appearing in the press are explained by the fact that a number of ecclesiastical dignitaries are known to be supporting Pétain in his anti­Laval and anti­Hitler campaign. 18.6.43 DIR Continue to publicise the Parti Unique Secret, now known as the Pussists, whose aim is the ‘maintien des pouvoirs legitimes en D.14 Europe.’ They are tied up with the Italian would­be peacemakers; part of the intention that the Italian claims to Nice, Corsica and Tunis will be washed out in return for assistance over peace negotiations. 18.6.43 L/682 The Pope through the mediation of the Queen of the Belgians, has given his unofficial blessing to the PUS. 55 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

18.6.43 L/683 At the request of Pétain, Baudoin and Bouthillier have been included in the PUS. The Banque de Paris et des Pays Bas is financing the Party. 18.6.43 L/684 The Marshal recently told Jardel in confidence that [Given evidence in L/685 below, the plot referred if the plot were successful the Allied landing would to is probably a “Pussist” plot]. result in another December 13 th. 18.6.43 L/685 The high clergy has become so involved in the PUS plot that the Pope recently sent a confidential circular signed personally to all archbishops of France ordering them to be more discreet in their political activities. 25.6.43 DIR The PUS with Pétain at its head intend to try to become the Government in the event of an Allied landing. D.16 25.6.43 L/720 Pétain has instructed the commanding officer of his personal guard that as soon as an Anglo­American landing starts in earnest he is to arrest Laval. Pétain then intends to receive the Allies as legitimate chief of the French State and declare solidarity with them. 25.6.43 L/721 Barthelemy has just completed a proclamation [Joseph Barthélemy was a jurist who served as which will be read by Pétain as soon as the first Minister of Justice between 1941 and 1943].8 0 French division sets foot on the soil of Metropolitan France. It will remind all French officers of their oath of loyalty to Pétain and the latter will declare himself chief of the French Army ‘fighting for national liberation.’ 25.6.43 L/722 Pétain is forming his general staff which he will place at the head of the French Army when it lands on French soil. All persons appointed are members of the PUS and strongly anti­republican. 56 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

25.6.43 L/723 The oath sworn by members of the PUS is as follows: “I swear to dedicate my life to maintaining Marshal Pétain as chief of the French state, to fight republicanism and Bolshevism, and to use whatever means and whatever allies to achieve that end.” 25.6.43 L/724 Pétain has appointed Flandin as Vice­President of PUS to take over his powers in the event of his death. Flandin signified his acceptance by the intermediary Pierre Lyautey, who has been making frequent trips between Spanish North Africa and Madrid on Pietri’s orders. 25.6.43 L/725 The attacks on the Church in the press are directly inspired by Frossard, the PUS chief of propaganda. They are designed to play up the alleged anti­ German and pro­Allied sympathies of the Church and the PUS which has received the blessing of the Pope. 2.7.43 L/759 Suñer has been appointed by Franco chief liaison officer with the PUS and delegate for the Latin bloc. 2.7.43 L/760 The PUS has instructed its members to protest against forced deportation of labour in order to gain the sympathy of the French and pin the whole responsibility on Laval. 2.7.43 L/761 The Committee of the PUS has advised Pétain to dissolve the Legion des Combattants, which has become too much tied up with Laval. 2.7.43 L/762 Pétain has given the order for the manufacture of British and American flags, for display by the Pussists on the arrival of the Allies. 57 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

9.7.43 L/794 The French authorities have complained to the local German military authorities in Brittany about the behaviour of U­boat crews on leave in France. The answer was that the Germans were so short of crews that they close their eyes to crimes which would usually be punished by court­martial. 9.7.43 L/795 Clashes have occurred between U­boat crews on leave in France and German occupying troops, as the crews made fun of the toy soldiers of occupation, comparing the safety of their job with the growing danger of their own. 9.7.43 L/796 Such large quantities of fruit have been requisitioned from France for Germany that it is rotting on German railway sidings. 9.7.43 L/797 Every time a U­boat docks there is an ambulance [It is likely that most returning u­boats were met by waiting close by to take off members of the crew an ambulance to take injured men to hospital, who have gone mad while at sea. lending some credibility to this rumour]. 9.7.43 L/798 U­boats are being fitted with padded cells as there are always a certain number of men who go made while at sea, and these upset the nerves of the rest of the crew. 16.7.43 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 23.7.43 L/875 The Germans are shooting hostages at the rate of six per day but at Laval’s request this is being kept absolutely secret. 23.7.43 L/876 A Breton doctor tells of a late night visit from a German seaman for treatment of septic wounds caused by the Gestapo. He had refused to put to sea. 58 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

23.7.43 L/877 Because of mutinous talk which is increasing in u­ boats, two Gestapo agents are included with every U­boat crew. 30.7.43 L/907 When the Italian troops in the Alpes Maritimes See sib K/93 below. heard of Mussolini’s resignation one important [Mussolini was overthrown by the Fascist Grand detachment went in a body to the local Council on 25 July: technically, they asked him to Gendarmerie and surrendered their arms, asking resign. After this he was arrested and imprisoned]. 81 that they might be given to French patriots. 30.7.43 L/908 The Germans are withdrawing two Divisions from the Eastern Front to garrison the zone now occupied by the Italians. 30.7.43 L/909 The Italian Ambassador turned down Laval’s offer to mediate between Italy and America. 30.7.43 L/910 Pétain and Laval have sent a joint invitation to Mussolini to take refuge in France. 30.7.43 L/911 Hitler has told Laval to order the Milice to bar the way to any Italian soldiers in France trying to cross the frontier into Italy. 6.8.43 Document missing 13.8.43 L/987 Thinking that the peace had been signed between Italy and the Allies, Italian occupying troops in the Haute Savoie released 400 patriots they had rounded up the previous week. 13.8.43 L/988 When the German troops replaced the Italians at [Translation: after the macaronis, the green beans]. Nice, they found chalked up on the walls, “Apres les macaronis, les haricots verts.” 59 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

13.8.43 L/989 Anti­fascist Italian troops assisted the women who recently demonstrated at Cannes against the lack of food when they had been turned away from the shops after having queued up for many hours. The recently­arrived German troops who were called out were attacked. The Italians fought with more vigour than any of their compatriots since Italy’s entry into the war. 13.8.43 L/990 Certain Vichy collaborationist officials are trying to approach the leaders of resistance groups, now that a German collapse appears likely, in order to discuss their possible collaboration when the Allied landings take place. They are meeting with no success. 13.8.43 L/991 Darnand, the head of the Milice in the Zone Sud, is [Joseph Darnand (1897­1945) was head of the wanting to extend his organisation to the Zone Milice française, a semi­official police, during Nord for he is confidentially advised that the LVF 1943. He became the head of police in December is in future to be used as a policing organisation in 1943].8 2 that Zone. He and Laval are violently disputing over the matter. 13.8.43 L/992 Italian soldiers in France who were offered leave to go home refused this because they are terrified of the Allied air raids. 13.8.43 L/993 Badoglio has sent an Ambassador to Pétain with a [Marshal Pietro Badoglio (1871­1956), an Italian view to negotiating final peace between France and soldier who succeeded Mussolini as Prime Minister Italy. in July 1943]. 83 13.8.43 L/994 The Germans are making big investments in [Until the fall of France, £1 had bought 176¾ French Government securities on the suggestion francs. The suggested exchange rate was not, that the French franc will be pegged by the Allies therefore, unreasonable]. 84 at 200 to the £. These investments are being made through nominees. Large quantities of banknotes are also being sent to Berlin. 60 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

13.8.43 L/995 The Germans are getting rid of all their Black Market stocks in France while the going is still good. This explains the fall in Black Market prices of certain goods. 20.8.43 Document missing. 27.8.43 K/53 Edda Ciano, Mussolini’s daughter, is now staying [Edda Ciano, née Mussolini, was Count Galeazzo at Chateldon as a guest of Jose de Chambrun. Ciano’s wife. Countess Josée de Chambrun was Laval’s daughter. Laval had bought the chateau in his birthplace of Châteldon in 1931]. 85 27.8.43 K/54 Pietri has arranged a meeting between Pétain and Franco at Carcassone. This has been done with the knowledge and approval of the Germans, but Laval has not been informed. 27.8.43 K/55 Foreign workers in Berlin have been without water since the raid, as they may not have any of the scanty supply until all the Germans are fully supplied. 27.8.43 K/56 Foreign workers in Berlin were turned out of air raid shelters, to make room for Germans who had found other shelters full. 3.9.43 K/63 French workers are being used to dig trenches in towns in Western Germany. They are said to be for ARP but are in reality part of the preparation by the Germans against invasion. 3.9.43 K/64 When a collaborationist French worker (a member of the PPF) entered a shop in Frankfurt with the greeting “Heil Hitler!” the shopkeeper refused to serve him. 61 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

3.9.43 K/65 During the recent raid on Berlin the doors of a [See Q/337 above. Berlin was attacked on 23/24 factory which worked at night and employed August 1943, killing 102 foreign workers including thousands of foreign workers, were locked so that 89 women. A total of 854 people died, the heavy the workers could not go to the shelters. Hundreds casualties being because a high proportion of were killed including 257 Frenchmen. people had not gone to the air­raid shelters. Another raid on 31 August/1 September was less successful]. 86 3.9.43 K/66 The bodies of foreign workers in Germany killed in the raids are not being given a Christian burial. 3.9.43 K/67 The bodies of Frenchmen who die in Germany are being used as manure. 10.9.43 K/93 Over 2,000 Italian troops escaping from the Germans have taken to the maquis with a substantial amount of equipment. 10.9.43 K/94 At Laval’s order, the Italian Ambassador to Vichy was handed over to the Germans as soon as Italy’s surrender had been announced. 10.9.43 K/95 When the Germans bomb towns in France after the [See undated uncoded rumour from FO 898/314 RAF has been over, their planes carry German above, directive D.102 and rumours J/42­J/43 and markings. J/74­J/76 below]. 10.9.43 K/96 Prisoners captured on the Russian Front have turned out to be young Frenchmen of 18 conscripted for work in Germany. 17.9.43 K/134 Hand grenades issued to Germans in Russia explode immediately the pin is drawn out. This is a result of the Trojan Horse methods employed by French workers in Germany. 62 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

17.9.43 K/135 After the Germans had taken over from the Italians in the South of France, they ordered the Milice to round up the Jews and dispose of their property, ostensibly for the benefit of bombed­out Frenchmen. 17.9.43 K/136 Laval has ordered the service of the ‘first regiment of France’ to round up Italian troops still resisting the Germans. 17.9.43 K/137 The Germans have cleared a wide area in the Alpes Maritimes. This is being used to burn the bodies of Italian soldiers, and of Frenchmen suspected of helping them. 17.9.43 K/138 Pétain has sent a message of congratulation to the Pope on having German soldiers mounting guard in the Vatican. 17.9.43 K/139 The story of Mussolini’s rescue is phoney. He had [Mussolini was rescued from captivity by a special been staying all the time at La Bourboule at operation by the Germans on 12 September 1943]. 87 Pétain’s invitation. 17.9.43 K/144 Mont Cenis Tunnel from France to Italy will be [Reconstructed. The RAF had attacked marshalling closed for months, following RAF raid on Modane yards at Modane on 16/17 September, but mostly causing severe damage and the destruction of a inaccurately]. 88 section by the Italians. 24.9.43 K/169 The Germans have promised Pétain that should they have to evacuate the southern part of France, they would make arrangements for his government to take refuge temporarily in Germany. 24.9.43 K/170 In Corsica a group of about 150 men composed of Milice, PPF and Francistes were captured. They were fighting with the Germans in Italian uniform. 63 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

24.9.43 K/171 There have been many desertions among troops of [Hanover was bombed by a large force on 22/23 occupation with families in Hanover. They are September, probably unsuccessfully].8 9 attempting to get back to the city. 24.9.43 K/172 The German commander of the garrison at Ajaccio has been court­martialled because he was unable to carry out Hitler’s order to burn down Napoleon’s birthplace on evacuating the city. 1.10.43 K/198 The bodies of ten German soldiers were found in an air raid shelter after an alert where they had been sheltering with French people. 1.10.43 K/199 Laval and Deat have had a serious quarrel as a result of Deat’s speech drawing an analogy between the Italian crisis and the French. 1.10.43 K/200 Doctors have had to be called to Laval who has had brainstorms twice during the night since the latest attempt on his life. 1.10.43 K/201 Chasseigne is going to be relieved of his post owing to the statement he made about conditions for workers in Germany. 1.10.43 K/202 There have been a number of dismissals in the censorship department of Vichy radio for allowing Chasseigne’s broadcast to go over. 1.10.43 K/203 Ritter was shot by the SS owing to the fiasco of the [Julius Ritter was Sauckel’s representative in call­up of the latest age­groups. France and implemented the Service Travaille Obligatoire labour draft. He was assassinated on 28 September 1943 by the Jewish section of the resistance group Franc­Tireurs et Partisans (FTP)].9 0 8.10.43 K/226 50 Germans who had deserted their posts to [Fifty Parisians were arrested in reprisal for Ritter’s celebrate the Italian capitulation were shot with the killing, and were later shot].9 1 50 hostages. 64 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

8.10.43 K/227 Pétain sent a message to the leader of the SS in France congratulating him on his methods of dealing with terrorists and advising the shooting of further batches to maintain order. 8.10.43 K/228 When the news leaked out that hundreds of Frenchmen had recently been shot the Germans tried to hush up the story by saying they only shot 50. 8.10.43 K/229 Laval himself has started a whispering campaign that he may be replaced by Doriot or de Brinon on order to try to get a little popularity back for himself. 8.10.43 K/230 The Germans have brought back from the Eastern Front several dozen of their mobile crematoria in order to dispose quickly of the bodies of Frenchmen they shoot. 15.10.43 K/244 The Waffen SS have been told that they will enjoy the rights of POW if taken by the Allies. This is why Darnand joined. 15.10.43 K/245 The withdrawal of German troops to the interior of France is due to the number of prisoners taken by Commandos and desertion in fishing boats to England. 15.10.43 K/246 The men reported by the Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine in Paris to have been infected with syphilis by other men are all young boys on whose parents German officers had been billeted. 15.10.43 K/247 Sacha Guitry has been taken to a mental home [Comeback received. See below. Sacha Guitry following the recent attempt on his life and the (1885­1957) was an actor and playwright. He receipt of a miniature coffin. continued to write and perform throughout the Occupation]. 92 65 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

15.10.43 K/248 The attempt on Sacha Guitry’s life has been made [Stülpnagel, probably Otto von Stülpnagel, was by agents of Stuelpnagel, whose mistress he had German head of the German military administration stolen. in Paris. His cousin Karl von Stülpnagel was head of the German Armistice Commission]. 93 22.10.43 K/273 Laval has bribed journalists to spread the rumour that he has refused Sauckel’s most recent demands for labour. 22.10.43 K/274 The attempt on De Brinon’s life was made by agents of Laval who is afraid he will be replaced by the former. 22.10.43 K/275 De Brinon is trying to get Bruneton’s job in Germany, because he feels he is no longer safe in France. 22.10.43 K/276 In future the names of all judges to be appointed have to be approved by Stuelpnagel. 22.10.43 K/277 The French wheat harvest has been so good that it would be possible to grant a ration of a lb. of bread per person per day, but the Germans have forbidden the increase of ration on the ground that they must build up their own people while the going is good. 22.10.43 K/278 German soldiers in France are not informed if their families in Germany are injured. 29.10.43 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 5.11.43 K/329 A new form of torture is being used in concentration camps in France. Starving inmates are made to wait at table of the German guards who are very well fed. 66 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

5.11.43 K/330 Pétain has sent a telegram to Hitler expressing his confidence in the might of the German armed forces and in the speedy improvement of the position on the Russian front. 12.11.43 K/362 As the Germans are convinced there will be no landing in the West this year, all Waffen SS personnel in France are to receive 14 days leave at Christmas. The same concession will be granted to other troops due for drafting to the Russian front. 19.11.43 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 26.11.43 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 3.12.43 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 10.12.43 DIR We should now try to convince the French people that the real enemy is German militarism and not simply the Nazis. We D.77 should suggest that Germany is already thinking about the next war; that they are increasingly afraid of the effects on man­ power of prolonging this war, both today and for the next­war generation, and would like to make peace now, but in the face of the Allies’ unconditional surrender line, they have to go on for the time being. The Wehrmacht calculate that they will give in when five million casualties killed have been sustained; this is considered the limit from a biological point of view. When this limit is reached the Germans intend to withdraw their troops to Germany and surrender; it is therefore up to the French to see that if the Germans try to evacuate France, not one soldier gets back alive. 10.12.43 K/453 Czech and Polish conscripts in the German Army are in contact with the Maquis. 10.12.43 K/454 A secret underground organisation within the SS is already being built up in Germany to continue after the Party surrenders. 10.12.43 K/455 After 15,000 kilometres most of the military lorries made in France during 1943 get overheated due to faulty oil feed and seize up. 67 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

10.12.43 K/456 The strips of German uniform seen flying from poles and masts in certain Breton coastal towns and villages recently belonged to high­ranking German officers who were inspecting the Atlantic coast defences but who never returned to Germany. 10.12.43 K/457 Boiler casings of locomotives manufactured at the Creusot works have in some cases been too thin, in others made of inferior metal and have been incorrectly passed on by inspectors. As a result there have been a number of explosions on French railways when pulling heavy loads. 17.12.43 K/491 Unknown to Hitler, the German General Staff is withdrawing certain picked officers and men from the Eastern and Western fronts. They are being put back into industry where they will constitute the nucleus of the future German army. 17.12.43 K/492 Rumours to the effect that Pétain is adopting a firmer attitude are being spread by order of some high officers of the Wehrmacht. The latter have made a pact with Pétain (whom they are convinced will be recognised by the Allies when they arrive) to act as mediators between the German Army and the Anglo­Americans. 24.12.43 K/519 The machinery being requisitioned by the Germans from France is being put in store for post­war use in Germany. 24.12.43 K/520 Children from vulnerable areas are being evacuated under German auspices. The boys will be sent to state nurseries in Germany to be “Germanized”. 31.12.43 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 68 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

7.1.44 K/569 Oberg has informed Darnand that one of his principal tasks will be the rounding up of German deserters in France. 7.1.44 K/570 Recently the gendarmes arrested a group of No, by JIC terrorists who had a derailed a food train near Laon. They turned out to be German deserters dressed as Frenchmen. 7.1.44 K/571 Last week a clash took place between German No, by JIC troops and a band of German deserters who had been pillaging local farms in the Ardennes. There were casualties on both sides 14.1.44 K/601 The German police working with the Milice have [These sibs are taken from a document dated orders to kill its officers when the German Army 14.1.43. The ‘K’ code used and the date sequence retreats. They dare not risk leaving any men behind suggest this was misdated]. who might become informers. 14.1.44 K/602 The Germans are considering replacing Gendarmes by German soldiers. They do not wish the French to know how many German deserters are posing as terrorists. 21.1.44 K/622 A group of terrorists who raided a clothes No, by JIC [See K/654 below] warehouse in the Correze were found to be German deserters in search of civilian clothing. 21.1.44 K/623 A detachment of German soldiers sent to round up No, by JIC terrorists in Haute Savoie have crossed the lake into Switzerland. 28.1.44 K/654 A well­known firm of clothes manufacturers in No, by JIC Lyons recently received a large order from the German officer commanding a battalion stationed in the town for civilian clothes. The price offered was 25,000 frs. per suit. 4.2.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 69 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

11.2.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 18.2.44 Documents closed until 2020. 25.2.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 3.3.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 10.3.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 17.3.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 24.3.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 31.3.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 7.4.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 14.4.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 21.4.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 28.4.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 5.5.44 DIR We should rumour that immediately after an RAF night attack on any target in France, the Germans send in a wave of bombers D.102 to drop bombs on residential areas in the neighbourhood, so as to incite anti­British feeling. (Rejected by JIC). 5.5.44 J/42 After the RAF raid, the remains of an He 177 were No, by JIC [See comeback report for 28.5.44 below] found at Cotignies. Its bombs exploded when it crashed. 5.5.44 J/43 Ever since fragments of a German bomb were No, by JIC found at Juvisy, not even the salvage parties are allowed to approach a bombed area, until the German military authorities have made a thorough examination. 12.5.44 J/74 French peasants near Haine St. Pierre found a body No, by JIC and FO dressed in a RAF pilot’s uniform with a GAF identity disc round the neck. 12.5.44 J/75 The GAF special squadron reserved for secret No, by JIC work in France takes its orders direct from the head of the Propaganda Ministry. 12.5.44 J/76 German AA crews received orders not to fire at the No, by JIC [The RAF had attacked La Chapelle on 20/21 April last wave of bombers in the raid on La Chapelle. 1944].9 4 19.5.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 70 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

26.5.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 2.6.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 7.6.44 J/249 The German High Command has asked Pétain to No, by JIC make a formal request that Paris shall be regarded as an open city. Last time it was Rome, and the Pope was used. 7.6.44 J/250 The German Secret Service has been told to have all its arrangements ready within 28 days for leaving agents behind in Paris. 7.6.44 J/251 The Commander of the German garrison in Paris No, by JIC has called for volunteers to stay behind in the city sewers after the evacuation, just as the Russians stayed behind in Sebastopol. 7.6.44 J/252 The Vichy officials in Paris have asked to be evacuated with the German garrison. 7.6.44 J/253 The German government has sounded the Swiss No, by JIC [Albert Kesselring (1885­1960) was commander­in­ Government on its attitude if Kesselring’s army is chief of German forces in Italy]. 95 forced to retreat into Switzerland. 7.6.44 J/254 The Swiss Red Cross is making preparations to No, by JIC receive up to 100,000 German troops. 9.6.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 16.6.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France. 23.6.44 No rumours were discussed at this meeting of the UP Committee for use in France.

B. Comeback Reports 71 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

10.4.41 S/185 In a report dated 23.3.41 received here 7.4.41, our agent in Tangier said: [S/185 is assumed to be the rumour referring to and “The Moor who did a trip through the French Zone for us distributing the flag, and S/214 to the paratroopers, but the S/214 rumours reported that the rumours about the French flag with a swastika source document is not clear] stamped on them and the 5000 parachutists in training in Sicily were served on him before he could serve them on somebody else. This presumably shows that the two other sources to whom we have been distributing rumours in the French Zone have been doing their stuff.” 10.4.41 S/288 New York Post, 13.3.41, TWO VETERANS TRY TO KILL LAVAL. Report [WRUL had links with PWE.]. (Zurich). Broadcast in French from WRUL, 14.3.41. In a report dated 23.3.41 received here 7.4.41, our agent in Tangier said: “The rumour about the attempt on Laval’s life was repeated to a friend of mine in the French Post Office the other day. I have heard from other quarters that this rumour has been repeated with considerable satisfaction.” 16.5.41 S/134 Esti Kurir (Budapest), 4.2.41: SOAP SHORTAGE IN FRANCE: Zurich, Feb. 4. (KH) “According to news from Vichy, an order has been issued officially whereby no soap shall be sold in the country after February 17 th. In the future only official agencies are authorised to deal in soap. The soap shortage is very great. It will no longer be possible to obtain soap in the shops.” 16.5.41 S/475 New York Herald, 16.4.41. PARIS METRO RIDERS TIP HATS AT [See also comebacks below] GEORGE V STATION. AND THERE ISN’T A THING NAZIS CAN DO ABOUT IT. London, April 15 – “The residents of Paris are continuing to pester the occupying Germans with actions the Nazis find it almost impossible to punish. One of these consists of raising their hats when the subway stops at the George V Station, this honoring the late British monarch.” 72 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

16.5.41 S/591 WRUL (Boston) in Czech and Slovak: “Fontenoy’s body was recovered from [See also comebacks below]. the Seine. Zurich: It is learnt that Fontenoy’s body was recovered from the Seine in Paris. A mark was burnt into his forehead. It is certain that this traitor was marked and murdered by French patriots.” FRANCE, 12.5.41. FONTENOY WAS BRANDED WITH A HOT IRON. Radio Boston confirmed yesterday, following a telegram from Zurich, that, as we announced a few days ago, the body of Jean Fontenoy was found in the Seine. But the American radio added that the body carried on the forehead a mark made with a hot iron. 23.5.41 S/552 Sunday Express, 18.5.41. “Official circles doubt whether Marshal Pétain will [See also comeback below] be able to hold out for long. At present every order to the fleet must be countersigned by Pétain, but it is believed that the Germans and Darlan are plotting to ‘kick the Marshal upstairs’ and make him even more of a figurehead than Hindenburg was in the last days of his life.” New York Post, 2.5.41. PÉTAIN TELLS NAVY ORDERS MUST BE BY HIM. Zurich, May 2 (ONA). “Marshal Pétain has secretly told commanders in the French Navy that they are to obey no orders unless personally countersigned by him, it was reported today. The order, it was asserted, is not directed against Admiral Darlan, who is anti­British and favours use of the fleet against Britain, but to forestall false orders from Nazi sources.” 30.5.41 S/585 New York Post, 10.5.41. DOUBLE CROSS AWARD. Zurich, May 10 th (ONA). “Chancellor Hitler was reported today to have bestowed personal awards on French Vice­Premier Darlan and Pierre Laval, former French Vice­Premier, in connection with the Fuehrer’s 52 nd birthday celebrations. The two French politicians were said to have been given the Kriegs Verdienstkreux, second class – a Nazi honor for war services other than in action.” 73 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

30.5.41 S/591 New York Post, 9.5.41. PRO­NAZI REPORTED BRANDED AND [See also comebacks above and below] DROWNED. Zurich, May 9 (ONA). The body of Jean Fontenoy, leader of the pro­Nazi French National Popular Party, who disappeared from Paris late last month, has been discovered floating in the Seine, it was reported today. His forehead was said to have been branded before he was killed. Informed quarters here said that Fontenoy, a confidant of Pierre Laval, was executed by a secret organisation, “Des Damnes”, dedicated to the extermination of enemies of France. 20.6.41 S/442 Cable Intercept 6.6.41. From Whitaker, Lisbon, to Press Chicago News, includes as one of peace terms between France and Germany: “France will cede to the Belgians the departments of Nord, Pas de Calais, and half of the Somme to create a Flemish Puppet State.” 27.6.41 S/475 Time (USA), 5.5.41. DIPLOMATIC COURTESY. In Paris, Frenchmen are [See also comebacks above and below] tipping their hats as the subway trains stop at George V station. 27.6.41 S/677 New York Post, 7.6.41. “STEAL 3 NAZI PLANES. 10 FRENCHMEN ESCAPE TO ENGLAND. (Copyright 1941, New York Post and Overseas News Agency, Inc.) Lisbon, June 6 – How ten French pilots dressed in the uniform of the Luftwaffe boldly stepped into three huge modern Junkers bombers and flew them from the German­held Merignac airport near Bordeaux to England was told here today by a reliable informant just arrived from Occupied France.” 3.7.41 S/776 New York Herald­Tribune and New York Post, 18.6.41, repeated on WRUL. An amazing and daring raid by the British on a Nazi airport in the Northern French town of Berck­sur­Mer. According to the Zurich correspondent of the Herald Tribune, a detail of British parachutists landed on the airport, overpowered forty German troops and pilots stationed there, and destroyed 30 planes. Joined by a number of Frenchmen who wanted to join the Free French Forces of General de Gaulle, the British raiding party then made their way to the nearby seashore, where naval motor boats were waiting to take them back to England. The attack occurred during a heavy RAF raid on the coastal ports of Calais and Boulogne and caught the Nazis flatfooted. Forty prisoners were taken. 74 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

18.7.41 S/475 Extract from letter to WRUL, Boston, from Paris, 25.4.41: “People have [WRUL had links with PWE. See also contracted the habit of standing up at the George V station and then they sit comebacks above]. down again when they leave the station. The Germans do not understand such things and never will.” 1.8.41 S/591 Postal Intercept 8.5.41 from Vircondolet, Hong Kong, to Moreau, Saigon: [See also comeback above] The writer mentions that the body of Fontenoy, one of the leaders in Paris of the ‘Rasemblement National Populaire’ (which is supported by Germany) and founder of ‘Le Journal de Shanghai’ has been found in the Seine with a notice, ‘Traitor’ pinned on to it.” 1.8.41 S/872 WACO, TEXAS. Trib­Herald, 4.7.41. Laval gets Champagne from Nazi; Skull & Crossbones from Foes Zurich, July 6 (ONA) [sic]. “Pierre Laval, former Vichy vice premier and arch protagonist of collaboration with the Nazis, received two gifts on his 58 th birthday, it was reliably learned here today. Laval celebrated his birthday quietly on June 28 at his home near Paris. Gift No. 1: A case of champagne from his old friend and one­time wine merchant, Joachim von Ribbentrop. Gift No. 2: A skull and crossbones bearing the ‘compliments and birthday wishes’ of the Club des Damnes, a secret, patriotic, and pro­British organisation of French women.” 15.8.41 S/1015 New York Post, 29.7.41: French Kill 750,000 Pigs to Thwart Nazi Grabbing. Geneva, July 29 (ONA). “French farmers in the Unoccupied Zone, acting to safeguard their food supplies against continued German demands, were said to have slaughtered more than 750,000 pigs, which they have salted and hidden for future needs. The French police, under German pressure, were said to be trying to force the farmers to disclose the whereabouts of the hidden stocks, but have not succeeded.” 5.9.41 S/174 Postal Intercept from Letter from Vichy to London (PO/61004/41): … With reference to gas taps:­ “Here, a fairly great use is being made of this ‘way out’ by the occupiers. One hears at least regularly of people who have lost their family through bombardments in their fatherland, and then cannot endure it any longer. Well, individually this is of course very sad, but still we say, the more the merrier.” (Note: the letter appears to have been written in Paris). 75 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

19.9.41 S/947 Montreal Gazette, 29.7.41. V SABOTAGE IN FRANCE DERAILS GERMAN TRAIN. (Follows four­paragraph article). 19.9.41 S/1020 New York Post, 22.8.41. FRENCH VOLUNTEERS RAILROADED TO GERMANY. (Follows three­paragraph article). 19.9.41 S/1027 New York Post, 21.8.41. COMMUNAL FINES THREATENED. (Follows three­paragraph article). 19.9.41 S/1103 M. of. I. Intelligence Report, 10 th September 1941, No.51: “There is now a conviction throughout the country that the Germans are attempting to ruin the health of the French people by sending back French sick and wounded prisoners inoculated by the Germans with the bacilli of disease, while their have been rumours of the flooding of the French market with German drugs producing certain forms of debility.” Daily Digest of Foreign Broadcasts, Moscow in German for Germany, 15.9.41: “GERMANS INFECT FRENCH WITH INFANTILE PARALYSIS. New York: The German Fascists have added to the long list of their horrible atrocities. The Lisbon correspondent of “Overseas News” reports that people who have arrived from France recount that in a hospital in Grenoble, there is a large number of French prisoners of war, released from German concentration camps. Many of them have died from infantile paralysis. This epidemic aroused the suspicion of the doctors that the Germans had deliberately infected them before they left Germany. It is reported that the news of this fresh German crime swiftly became known throughout France and created general indignation. Crowds collect outside the Grenoble hospital shouting “Do not let the damned Boche murder our brothers! Death to the Germans!” 26.9.41 S/284 Extract from Postal & Telegraph Censorship No. LIV/48881/41: 9.9.41 from Jackson, Malvern, to Nicoll, Newhaven, Conn. USA. “A French visitor last Sunday gave us the interesting information that there have been instances of the enemy occupiers of French towns insisting on the local Mayor giving them a certificate of good conduct – just in case the tables are turned. You may have seen this in your papers ­ it has not been in ours and came as showing which way certain drafts may blow …” 76 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

26.9.41 S/552 Imperial Censorship Bermuda: [See also comeback above] Letter from St Gallen, Switzerland, to Papanek, Chicago, 1.8.41. “… My informant saw a letter which General L (who is on the active service list) sent to Darlan in reply to certain of the latter’s commands. L. answered that he would carry out the orders only if they were given to him by the Marshal (Pétain) but denied that Darlan had any right to give orders.” 16.10.41 S/672 Postal & Telegraph Censorship No. PO/79068/41: From Anderfohren, Berne, to Handley, Budleigh Salterton, 14.9.41. “I have very little news of Lilette. The wearing of basque berets is forbidden in Alsace (penalty, concentration camp) and speaking French (penalty, death!)” 31.10.41 S/795 SOE report from Lisbon, 25.10.41: A French informant said: “Mr Tixier [See also comeback report below] Vignancourt and Mr Achard resigned from the Pétain Government some time ago. In fact they were ordered to hand in their resignations as they were caught in a scandal. Mr. Achard was implicated in the black market scandal and was making large sums of money with the help of some Italian officials. The latter intervened to hush up the affair so as not to be compromised also.” 6.11.41 S/1132 Extract from News Digest of November 3 rd, 1941 (BUP from New York): THE VICHY CABINET DIVIDED. A private report, 28.10.41, states that Darlan’s regime as active head of the Vichy Government is being challenged by a clique of younger members of the Cabinet led by M. Pucheu, Minister of the Interior. The struggle between Darlan and Pucheu is linked with the bitter competition between two huge French banking institutions for the profits accruing from Franco­German industrial collaboration. Hitherto, Pétain has supported Darlan. (Follows four further paragraphs).” 13.11.41 S/1025 Letter from France to the BBC (via Lisbon 16.8.41): “Demonstrate by actual facts the wish of Germany to destroy France and her Empire. For example, in the Landes, they are felling trees that are sixty years old and more. They are removing systematically, in spite of the armistice, the goods and belongings of the French people. They pillage houses, libraries, works of art.” 20.11.41 S/795 Imperial Censorship, Bermuda, 58903: From Poueydebat, Correze, France, to [See also comeback report above] Pathe, New York.:“The MARECHAL” has imprisoned his Minister of Food, Achard, who it seems was in favour of the Black Market.” 77 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

11.12.41 R/303 Secret Report 30.11.41: It was reported 29.11.41 that for the past two days Germans had been seizing from passers­by in the streets of Paris leather coats and fur­lined jackets, for which they delivered requisition forms.” 18.12.41 R/303 L’Action Française, 18.11.41: Agents of the defunct republic and of the King [Sib mutated in transit. See above]. of England will use any means to undermine the Marshal’s government and French morale. Last week in Marseilles a rumour was circulated to the effect that, because of the acute shoe shortage, all leather jackets were to be requisitioned. So on the Canebiere, on the Corniche and on the Vieux­Port, men were seen going to work that day clad only in waistcoats, at the risk of catching bronchitis. 2.4.42 Q/337 ‘Radio Journal de Paris’ broadcast entitled ‘Rumouritis’ – ‘Workers of the bombed factories were shut up by force to render their massacre easier.’ (March 3 rd. Renault raid). 15.4.42 Q/433 Daily Herald, 15.4.42: Laval told Abetz that, because of his unpopularity in France, his return might harm Germany unless he offered the French substantial success, such as the liberation of many war prisoners. These ‘liberated’ prisoners, he suggested, might remain in Germany as ‘free civil workers’. 7.5.42 Q/337 Secret Report 29.4.42: Workmen shut in during Renault Raid. According to a reliable source, at the beginning of the bombing the Germans had all doors closed and prevented the workers from escaping. Some saved themselves by climbing the walls. This fact has been confirmed by several witnesses. 4.7.42 Q/337 Postal and Telegraph Censorship Report ANP/1081/42: 17.3.42: … “Information from a foreign source had claimed that workers had been locked in their workshops.” PO/45363/42: 23.3.42: A journalist in Unoccupied France, writing of the people of the bombed suburbs and their reaction to the Government’s ‘sympathy propaganda’ said: ‘They were not misled by all the editorial blasts … Instead they began circulating all sorts of rumours (mostly wholly false) against the Germans and against Vichy. For example, they pretended that the German engineers had locked the Renault workers in the factory and that they could not get out when the raid started. 78 PART III: RUMOURS FOR FRANCE

4.9.42 Q/871 L’Oeuvre (Occupied France) 3.7.42 published a sarcastic article saying that Americans would land in the Bordeaux region shortly, and each soldier would be provided with an extra uniform ‘for a volunteer’. At the same time the British would land in Belgium and would each hand a uniform to a volunteer, then return to Britain for another. Radio Zeesen, 23.8.42, said that the following opinion of an American living in Vichy was published in the weekly paper Le Francisme 22.8.42: “If the Americans come to France, each one will bring along two guns, one for himself and one for a Frenchman. The British will come later. Each will bring along only one gun and will give [it?] to a Frenchman, then return home immediately.” The editorial comment to this was “The French certainly do not know what to do with these guns, but at any rate there are still a few sarcastic Americans.” 2.10.42 S/152 Report of an interrogation of a Belgian businessman, who arrived in the UK Sib had mutated in transit. See above. 22.8.42. “Informant was told by a highly placed official that French POWs in Germany had all been sterilised by something put in their food, and that it was almost certain that Pétain knew this because this informant’s chief worked under the direct orders of Pétain. 3.6.43 N/876 Arbetaren (Berne), 8.4.43. Report “said that during the comb out of the Vieux Sib disseminated 2.2.43, according to Port at Marseilles, they discovered 450 German deserters.” comeback report. 1.10.43 K/114 Evening Standard, 28/29.9.43. Mont Cenis Tunnel ‘closed for months’. “The Sib disseminated only by OSS, through their Mont Cenis Tunnel route from France to Italy is likely to be closed to the Berne channels. Germans for several months, according to reliable reports reaching Berne. Apart from the severe damage to the tunnel in the RAF raid on Modane on September 16, a section of the tunnel has been completely destroyed by the Italians, the reports say. The Mont Cenis tunnel, completed in 1870 – year of the Franco­Prussian war – is one of the world’s longest tunnels, 7½ miles, Reuter adds. It was once one of the main Continental routes from London to Brindisi, Asia, Australia and East Africa.” 79 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

26.11.43 K/247 Evening News, 25.11.43. SACHA GUITRY He Gets Coffin Warning. “Sacha [Report repeated in FO 898/463]. Guitry has received a coffin by post from the French underground movement as a warning to stop pro­German activities, says the Paris Journal, which adds: ‘This may explain the indisposition which has led him to cancel his engagements’. – A.P.” 28.5.44 “Another secret report (dated 4 th May) claims that in certain unspecified [From FO 898/315. Rumours of this sort listed localities the Germans have discovered unexploded bombs on residential above were almost universally rejected by the areas with German markings. They have also noted that the bombing of UP Committee, so it may be that this report civilian targets normally occurs at the end of a raid. The rumour is therefore inspired the rumour writers, rather than vice circulating that the Germans are themselves responsible for some of the versa]. heavy casualties.” 1 J. Jackson (2001), France: The Dark Years 1940­1944, Oxford: Oxford University Press, p.145; B.M. Gordon (1998), Historical Dictionary of World War II France: The Occupation, Vichy and the Resistance, 1938­1946, London: Aldwych Press, pp.273­74. 2 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, pp.366­67. 3 G.L. Weinberg (1994), A World At Arms: A Global History of World War II, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp.177­78, p.207. Suñer became the Spanish Foreign Minister in October 1940. 4 W.J.M. Mackenzie (2000), The Secret History of SOE: the Special Operations Executive, 1940­ 1945, London: St. Ermin’s Press, pp.687­88. 5 J.W. Brown, & L.D. Stokes (1999), The Silence of the Sea/La Silence de la Mer: A Novel of French Resistance during World War II by “Vercors”, Oxford: Berg, p.88&n. 6 D. Crystal (ed.) (2002), The New Penguin Encyclopaedia 2003, London: Penguin, p.589. 7 Jackson, France, p.127, p.169; EH(F) 90 (1941), NA: PRO FO 371/28430; J.­L. Crémieux­Brilhac (1975), Les Voix de la Liberté: Ici Londres, 1940­1944, Vol. I, Paris: La Documentation Française & Le Club Français des Bibliophiles, p.91, broadcast of 24.9.1940. [Henceforth Les Voix] 8 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.107, p.219; Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, p.716. 9 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.107. 10 M.R.D. Foot (1966), SOE in France: An Account of the Work of the British Special Operations Executive in France, 1940­1944, London: HMSO, p.16; Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.34. 11 Jackson, France, p.177. 12 Jackson, France, p.147. 13 Weinberg, World At Arms, p.210. 14 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.28; Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, p.328. 15 Jackson, France, p.147, p.175. 16 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, pp.142­143; Jackson, France, p.152. 17 M. Magnusson (ed.) (1990), Chambers Biographical Dictionary, Edinburgh: W. & R. Chambers, p. 386. 18 Jackson, France, p.177. 19 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, pp.3­4. 20 Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, p.223. 21 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.46, pp.98­99; Jackson, France, pp.53 and 200. 22 Jackson, France, p.175. 23 Magnusson (ed.), Biographical Dictionary, p.578. 24 Jackson, France, p.311. 25 I. Kershaw (1999), Hitler, 1889­1936: Hubris, London: Penguin, p.10. 26 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, pp.143­44. 27 Magnusson (ed.), Biographical Dictionary, p.1263. 28 Kershaw, Hitler: Hubris, p.363. 29 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, pp.148­149. 30 M. Middlebrook, & C. Everitt (1996), The Bomber Command War Diaries: An Operational Reference Book, 1939­1945, Leicester: Midland Publishing Ltd. pp.158­59. [Henceforth BCWD]. 31 Magnusson (ed.), Biographical Dictionary, pp.1234­1235. 32 Gordon, Historial Dictionary, p.367. 33 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.298; Jackson, France, pp.147­48. 34 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.240. 35 Magnusson (ed.), Biographical Dictionary, p.1210. 36 Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, p.712; Gilbert, Second World War, p.181. 37 J. Keegan (1998), The First World War, London: Pimlico, pp.303­8; Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, pp.637, 1083­1084, and 1306. 38 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, pp.33, 102, and 183­84; Jackson, France, p.145. 39 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.209. 40 Jackson, France, p.117. 41 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.209. 42 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.377. 43 BCWD, p.164. 44 M. Gilbert (1990), Second World War, Fontana, pp.169 and 188. 45 A. Aldgate & J. Richards (1994), Britain Can Take It: The British Cinema in the Second World War, Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press, pp.56­64; Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, p.872. 81 BRITISH PROPAGANDA TO FRANCE, 1940—1944: ANNEXE TWO

46 J. Keegan (1997), The Second World War, London: Pimlico, pp.76 and 335. 47 BCWD, pp.158­95. 48 Les Voix, I, p.278. 49 Kershaw, Hitler: Hubris, p.433. 50 Les Voix, I, p.278; Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, p.669. 51 B. Johnson (1978), The Secret War, London: British Broadcasting Corporation, pp.270­71. 52 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.184. 53 Gilbert, Second World War, p.247. 54 Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, pp.637­38. 55 Jackson, France, pp.80, 99 and 146. 56 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.378. 57 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.378. 58 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.320. 59 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.378. 60 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, pp.234 and 379 61 Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, pp.1047 and 1594. 62 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.378. 63 Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, p.1397. 64 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, pp.96­97 65 Keegan, The Second World War, pp.185­92. 66 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.326. 67 Keegan, The Second World War, p.104. 68 BCWD, pp.351­54 69 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.265. 70 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.378. 71 I. Kershaw (2000), Hitler, 1936­1945: Nemesis, London: Allen Lane, pp.507­8. 72 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, p.34. 73 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, passim. 74 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, pp.342­43; E. Howe (1988), The Black Game: British Subversive Operations against the Germans during the Second World War, London, Futura/Queen Anne’s Press, pp.89­90. 75 BCWD, pp.387­88. 76 BCWD, p.388. 77 Jackson, France, p.510. 78 BCWD, pp.348 and 501­2. 79 Jackson, France, p.568. 80 Jackson, France, p.50. 81 Keegan, The Second World War, p.291. 82 Gordon, Historical Dictionary, pp.96­97; Jackson, France, p.23. 83 Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, p.125. 84 Exchange rates taken from The Times, 18.6.1940, p.10. 85 Jackson, France, p.130; Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, p.328; H. Cole (1963) Laval: A Biography, London: Heinemann, pp.27 and 69­70. 86 BCWD, pp.425, and 427­28. 87 Gilbert, Second World War, p.461. 88 BCWD, p.431. 89 BCWD, pp.433­34. 90 Jackson, France, p.368, p.496. 91 Gilbert, Second World War, p.464. Gilbert dates Ritter’s assassination to 27 September 1943. 92 Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, p.671; Jackson, France, pp.310­11. 93 Jackson, France, p.170. 94 BCWD, p.496. 95 Crystal, Penguin Encyclopaedia, p.833.