(first posted 6/6/2014, amended 8 May 2020) Today is the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, known as VE Day in the UK. We will be marking the day, though not quite as had been planned, obviously. This post was originally published for the 70th anniversary of D Day but can also help mark VE Day.
The Normandy landings, better known as D-Day or Operation Overlord, that were the initial phase of the final liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation. You are no doubt familiar with the subsequent progressive liberation of France, Holland, Belgium and Denmark, as well as the liberation of Italy, and of eastern Europe by the Russian forces, from the eastern front, and ultimately VE Day. Unconditionally, the bravery and courage of the men and women involved is to respected and remembered, as are their fallen colleagues and the civilian casualties.
One partner in the success of the operation, as it turned from invasion to progressive liberation, was the French Resistance Movement, also known as the Maquis, an organisation of small cells of men (and women) that conducted a guerilla war against the occupying German forces through acts of sabotage and diversion, supported escaping allied prisoners, published underground newspapers and provided valuable intelligence to the allies. After June 1944, it grew to become a semi-formal army of half a million men, under the name FFI (Forces Françaises de l’Intérieur).
Every French town of any size will have a central street or square named in some way to mark the events of 1944-45, or 1918; perhaps a Place de la Liberation, Avenue de Gaulle, Boulevard Winston Churchill, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, or Place de la 6 Juin or de la 8 Mai, to mark the end of the war in 1945. Many towns will incorporate the date of the liberation of the town specifically into this name, and it goes without saying that the war memorials are properly maintained and respected.
Bergerac, in the Dordogne region in the south west of France, is no different. Each August, on the Sunday closest to 21 August, a service of commemoration takes place at the Monument de la Resistance, close the Avenue du President Wilson and last year was supplemented by a small display of vehicles used by the French Resistance and the US Army at the time of the liberation.
First up, the most French car of all from before the war–the Citroen Traction Avant, in this case a 15CV (or horsepower, not BHP) six cylinder version. This was first produced from 1938, with 2.8 litre engine, monocoque construction and front-wheel drive, and was still class competitive when it was retired in 1956. Inevitably, production was very much disrupted by the war.
The French army lacked enthusiasm for the Citroën Traction, initially believing that it offered insufficient ground-clearance. However, by September 1939 a few hundred were in military use and more cars were supplied in 1940, and subsequent deliveries probably took place before military defeat intervened.
During the war many of the cars were reregistered, having been requisitioned by the German Army. However, as here, the Traction Avant were also favoured by the French Resistance, and as occupation gave way to liberation they turned up all over France with FFI inscribed proudly on their doors. Seen like this, this is perhaps the most iconic French car ever and without doubt one the best and most memorable cars of the last century. Is there anything more proudly French than a Traction Avant flying a tricolore and FFI symbol?
As was usual in a war situation, equipment that you might associate with one party ended up being used by the other, in this case a (as far as I can tell, please tell me if I’m wrong) Mercedes-Benz W136 saloon, shown here after it had been captured from the German Wehrmacht.
Built from 1936 onto the 1950s, this example shows several areas where wartime restrictions will have impacted on the actual product, as well as the quantity produced and where they were sold. There is little bright work, only one windscreen wiper and shortened bumpers for example. This car was also identified as a diesel, though I did not hear it running.
I am not clear whether this is a genuine FFI/Maquis vehicle or a recreation using a post war car. Certainly the interior didn’t look like it had had too hard a life for over 70 years.
Also present was a Simca 8, a compact saloon manufactured in France by the company that later became affiliated to Ford and then sold to Chrysler, and is now within the Peugeot-Citroen group. The Simca 8 was actually a licence built Fiat 508C, with an 1100 cc 4 cylinder engine. Production ran from 1937 until 1951, at Nanterre in France. The engine was a Fiat design also.
Unusually, the four door body had no central pillar between the front doors, hinged at the front, and the rear doors, hinged at the back, permitting particularly easy access when a front and rear door were opened simultaneously. Look closely at the photo above and you can see the two handles side by side, like a two parallel semaphore trafficators at rest
No wartime vehicle event can be complete without at least one Jeep, and this was no exception. I’m no Jeep expert, so I’m happy to let you tell me about these two examples.
Clearly, one is in US Navy spec, and on in Army, complete D-Day 1994, the 50th anniversary commemoration, honours.
The American Army obviously had a large and important role in the liberation of Europe, for which so many are grateful even if the cars were a little too large for some of our towns and cities.
This Buick Roadmaster 8, dating, I think, from 1940-41, carries insignia to denote some authenticity to its provenance and relevance. For comparison with the Citroen, the largest of the European cars here, the Buick is 215 inches long; the Citroen a mere 175 inches (actually 3.27m, of course). Interestingly, the Buick’s 126 inch wheelbase is only four inches longer than the Citroen’s, even if it weighs around twice as much.
The focus of this post is not really the cars, even if the Buick is keeping the attention the youngster in the photo, and if an event like this can stimulate his interest in classic cars them I’m all for it, but is on the people, in France, in Britain and the Commonwealth, from occupied Europe and from America who planned, led and served in D-Day and the Liberation of Europe, and on those who paid the ultimate price. If the Buick helps him understand the relevance of the events of 70 years ago, and the benefits all of us living in Europe now have from them, I’m sure we can support it.
So many of us owe so much to those involved in so many ways in D-Day and the events after it that the very least we can do is remember them, and their fallen comrades. Perhaps, most of all, we should just say “Gentlemen, we thank you,” and “Messieurs, nous vous remercions.”
Austin can stake a claim in the development of the Jeep, via American Austin /Bantam
http://www.allpar.com/history/bantam-jeep.html
The Jeeps would be the Hochkiss M201 built under licence by the famous gun company from 1943-1960 ,LA Jeep. They reminded in service until the 80s .
Thank you, Roger. This is an outstanding reminder of events from not all that long ago. History is there as a terrific teacher and its knowledge is there for the picking.
Since we are talking D-Day, I will share something my grandfather told me.
During WWII, he was in the US Army Air Force, stationed in England. In the days leading up to the invasion, it was obvious there were plans in place, despite no details at all, as there were bull-dozers turning up the English soil, preparing graves. At 90, he still will not speak about anything related to D-Day after talking about the graves.
Another gentleman I met about five years ago had been in one of the first waves to land on Omaha Beach. What he told me is simply incomprehensible.
Despite the morbidity of this comment, it goes along with what Roger has said as we should also remember those who sacrificed so greatly.
Jason,
Please, just tell your Grandfather we’d like to thank him, and his comrades.
As you say, history is there to teach us. My Dad was a history teacher and always asked his students why they wanted to study history. The only answer he wanted was “to understand the present”. Hopefully, the boy in the photo is more able to do that now than he was earlier in the day.
Thank you to all who served. And thank you Roger for this post, it really is about the people on days like this.
My farther volunteered for the Canadian Army within a couple of weeks of Canada entering the war. Due to his background, he along with several more from BC were assigned to the Forestry Corps of the British Army, logging and milling timber in Scotland. He was transferred back into Canadian regular army at the end of 1943 and down to the south of England were they prepared for D Day. He was on Juno Beach on day 3. He was very willing to talk about his time in Scotland, but after D Day time he only would bring up how happy everyone was as the Canadians liberated villages, towns and cities along the northern coastline. He was truly moved by the reception they got. As for the actual combat, he would not talk about that. Injured once, but not badly enough for a discharge. He served from 1939 into early 1946.
He went back a couple of times representing the Canadian government, notably at the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Our son is now in the Canadian Armed Forces, in the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. Like Roger’s father, our son wants to teach history so we will see how long he stays in the CAF.
No bright work on wartime cars a friend has a 1940 Hillman all original except he has cleaned the paint from the chrome trim they painted the whole car except the windows when new it would have a military vehicle when new then sold on ex army after hostilities were over, This 41 Ford was military only new car sales stopped in NZ sept 1939 with the declaration of war but some lend lease cars turned up.
Nothing to add, except, “Merci.”
Thank you Roger .
They shall never be forgotten .
-Nate
Hey Roger,
Great writeup…love the Citroen!
The Buick is a ’40, and it’s a small bodied Buick, so it’s a Special or a Century.
Excellent work, Roger, on an important topic. Some day when we think we have problems, we ought to think about those guys trying to fight their way onto those beaches that day. That generation is rapidly slipping away, and I miss them.
That Buick really stands out as a brawny American in this field of cars. But each of them has a certain allure about it. The pillar-less construction on that Simca is new to me, and quite interesting. I can’t imagine that such construction made for a very stiff structure.
Am I the only one who has noticed that the hubcaps on the Buick seem to be from the 1960s? The Buick tri-shield emblem did not come along until 1959. But I can’t criticize someone in France for doing the best they could in obtaining parts for an extremely rare car there.
Another great write up Roger,we should never forget our war heroes.
Thanks Roger.
Normandy had a somewhat different yet similar connotation in our family, since it was where my father was captured by the Allies and it signaled that the end of the war was truly at hand. Both sides of my parents’ families were staunchly anti-Hitler, and my father was expelled from medical school and sent to the Western Front because he was considered “racially tainted and politically unreliable” (he had a Jewish grandmother).
I got the impression that his capture was without much resistance, as he knew what was coming: Hitler demanding his Army to fight to the death in the face of the invasion.
He was very happy to be among those POWs that were sent to the US, where conditions in the camps were vastly better than in the European POW camps. He loved being in the US, and volunteered to work for farmers harvesting corn and such, rather than sit around the camp all day.
When he was offered a job in the US in 1960, he was very eager to go back, essentially. So I have the Allies to thank for my being an American! 🙂
My dad, who died last November at age 90, was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Pathfinder Group. He parachuted into France on D-Day and his chute got caught on a church steeple on top of a bell tower. He was able to swing inside (many were shot being trapped), and disguised himself as a priest and hid his gun under the robe. He captured some German solders. He told me that they were pretty much willing at that point since they knew the war was not going to be in Germany’s favor. He had many decorations and a purple heart, and was still a PFC when discharged. On a lighter note, my brother told me he was picked up awol in a french “house of ill repute” after a couple of weeks, but due to his outstanding service still received an honorable discharge. I will say the VA was very helpful with assistance money when I was forced to put him and Mom into assisted living. They were able to live out their last years in comfort and dignity. Thank you Dad, and all who served.
For some of the younger readers I would like to post this link to a speech by President Reagan at Normandy on June 6, 1984. There was no world crisis or invitation that required him to be there that day. It was something he did with little fanfare to honor Allied war heroes, who were in attendance, on the 40th anniversary of D-Day. If you haven’t seen it and have 13 minutes to spare it is worth watching no matter what your nationality or political affiliation.
D day gets the ink but there were a lot of other invasions. My BIL was 20 yrs older than me and carried shrapnel from Okinawa and Iwo Jima. There were a couple pacific invasions that had casualties approaching the amount from all the years of war in Iraq or Afghanistan. I took part in one in 1965 (VN) that turned out (thankfully) to be unopposed but not without casualties. The size of the operation meant people were hurt and killed making it happen. I think it was Iwo Jima that we suffered massive casualties while still on ships at sea. Kamikaze attacks. Sherman or someone said war is hell and I agree.
My limited experience tells me that the MP jeep was probably purpose built to somewhat exacting standards and the SP jeep was probably off the shelf with grey paint added. Who knows.
Real impressed with the citroen. A generally unsung vehicle that seems to be very important to history.
My father served in the Pacific Theater on LSM (Landing Ship Medium) 378 as Chief Engineer. LSMs were favorite targets of the Kamikazes as they carried troops and up to four tanks. After the war he volunteered for the Guinea Pig Squadron. He was the navigator for the Joseph Holt, a Victory Ship that had had its keel broken in one of the typhoons that hit Okinawa. My dad was navigator and the Joseph Holt’s mission was to blow up mines in the inland waterways of Japan. The ship was “battle hardened” with mattresses on the bulkheads and the crew wore leather football helmets. At the time my dad was 23. For this effort he was awarded the Bronze Star. Later in life he visIted Japan frequently as a marketing manager for Mobil Oil. He never felt any incongruence in his wartime activity and his later business dealings in Japan. All part of life.
Love the old cars, especially the Traction Avants. My dad was a few weeks shy of his 19th birthday on D-day, and was serving aboard a Royal Navy destroyer in the invasion. Other than narrowly escaping with his life when the same ship later hit a mine, he never talked much about his war service, and I think he considered it something that had to be done at the time. If I ever go to Europe, I want to visit Normandy and walk the beach…and thank everyone who put themselves in harm’s way so the rest of us could be free.
Good one Laddo. And our dad was right about why we all should understand the past, of course.
Great vehicles, and still grateful after 75 years.
Here’s my grandfather’s photo of a post liberation party, probably in the village of Hazerswoude-Dorp in 1945.
There’s some mighty relieved looking people, alright. Unfortunately I don’t know who they are.
Since I’m homeschooling my kids now that schools are closed, I took the opportunity this morning to tell them that it’s VE Day. Otherwise I’m sure it never would have been mentioned in school. (I’d always secretly wanted to be a history teacher, so I’m sort of enjoying this aspect of home-life).
Oddly, the Buick’s inspection sticker that you photographed is a Pennsylvania inspection sticker, and the blacked-out portion covers up the part that said “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” I don’t know whether the Army took over these stickers for their own purposes and added the ARMY lettering on the top. I’d never seen that before.
I love the FFI cars here… whether or not they’re genuine FFI vehicles, they still make a terrific history lesson.
My dad emigrated to England from the continent in the 1930’s, and while he had to endure the Blitz, he fared better than his Dad who died in Paris in 1944, just before the liberation. I was born in the following decade so never knew my grandfather.
In 1984, I visited the apartment where my grandfather had died and also the beaches of Normandy. It was surprisingly moving for something that even then had seemed distant in both time and place. While driving through the area near the beaches, in my rental Opel Corsa hatch with Swiss plates, I encountered an elderly man struggling to put the spare tire on his 2CV (or maybe Dyane? For once my memory of a car has been eclipsed by other details) after a flat. I offered to help in my halting French, and he seemingly grudgingly accepted. After cinching up the 3 lug nuts and lowering the jack, he tersely thanked me and asked me if I was from Zurich, as indicated by the car’s license. I told him it was a rental car, and I was American. He suddenly beamed and starting talking cheerfully, then hugged me. I didn’t catch most of it, but understood “Americains” and “La Libération” and “Merci, merci”. It was a very memorable moment.
My father took part in the Normandy invasion with the gliders who landed in France; he told me some pretty wild stories and had a number of photographs he had taken over there. Some of them were rather gruesome. During the Vietnam war I served in the Air Force so I didn’t have to endure at lot he went through. Thanks Dad.
My Grandpa was a Marine in the South Pacific.
He never talked about it.
Ironically I am re-reading Citizen Soldiers by Stephen Ambrose right now. Fortunately my father served in the Pacific and not in the Army in Europe. I am not impressed with senior US military officers and their conduct in Europe which is why I am glad he was in the Pacific. I am impressed by the LT’s and Sergeants who had to make do with bad plans and orders.
Excellent post! My French grandfather was in the FTP – the other big Résistance group. Can’t imagine what life must have been like at the time. On VE day, he was 31 and had two young boys (one of whom was my father) and number three on the way.
Very nice 15-Six. It’s a 1950-52 model. Prewar ones are extremely rare nowadays.
At 95 years-old, my dad is a D-Day+3 US Army vet. He spent the first months in Le Havre in a logistics unit, driving and servicing 6×6 transports. I sent him a link to this post and he got a kick out of it.