Gunter had a head start on Heidi. As she turned over the first page, he was on his third reading, making notes on the A4 pad on the table. Heidi only had time for one quick read:
Investigation into potential collaboration between a nationalistic faction and the National Socialists during the Second World War.
Paper by Albert Mussingssen, President of the European Historical Society.
This paper highlights a case of possible collaboration with the Nazis during WW2, covering an area, to my knowledge, not known to the history community at large. It could be a case of sensational collaboration or a wild goose chase. If the latter were demonstrated, consideration must be given to the motives, as these may well have significance. If the former prevails, full disclosure must be achieved in the interests of Truth and Knowledge and the Furtherance of History in its purest form. However, participants' safety is important as you will gather as this paper develops.
It sounded like an academic argument, Heidi thought, rather disappointed, although the subject matter held promise of excitement.
And there was mention of 'participants' safety'. That left her blood racing.
It starts on a grey day in late 1940. Not that the weather is of consequence, for the people we are interested in are inside, actually in an underground room built into the Medieval walls of a small town on the north coast of Brittany. The town is called Bremarché and the meeting is actually a furious argument. This is the Governing Committee of the Breton National Party in total disarray. They are split down the middle, as if an axe had cleaved them in two.
They argue because the Nazis have arrived. One half argues vehemently for collaboration, the other for resistance.
"But", say the collaborators, "resistance to the Nazis bolsters the vile French who would murder us in our beds rather than give a modicum of freedom to Brittany. Better to work with the invaders because every move against France improves our position in the struggle for independence."
"No", shout the non-collaborators, "the Nazis are equally oppressive. By standing against them, we increase our chances of the French treating us kindly after the war."
This same argument, of course, happened across Europe as the German army took control almost everywhere. For some, it was a simple choice, for others, like the Breton National Party, it was much harder.
They decided by a modest majority to opt for resistance. Being democratic, they abided by the vote and ruled out collaboration. However, warning bells should be ringing because accord came too readily after such bitter dissension. Some participants clearly felt a need to conceal treachery under a mask of cohesion. If we take on this investigative mission, we must dig deep, because the truth will be found many layers beneath the surface.
This was more like it, thought Heidi, liking mention of missions and urgency. Take History, add a little intrigue, adventure and manipulation and you get a first-rate story.
So, why the rush conference and the need for our Society to act immediately? Why not take things steadily and consider all angles before acting? There are two reasons, one set in the war and one occurring just last week.
Let's start at the beginning. The Germans came to Bremarché and left a garrison of twelve men under a sergeant called Trumpf. He was a decent man, looked after his troops and cared for the civilians under his control. He met with some kindness, mainly from the Breton nationalists who veered towards collaboration, but nobody, whatever their political persuasion, could put their hand on their heart and say they hated him.
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The Battle of Brittany
HistoryczneA little town in Brittany on the coast, forgotten but with pride. A freighter steams in one day in 1984. A man alights but doesn't know why he's there, just that his recently deceased father urged him, "Go to Bremarche," he says on his death bed. So...
