French Colonial Soldiers in German PRISONER-OF-WAR Camps (1940–1945)

After the conclusion of the armistice with France, the Germans held approximately 120,000 non-white soldiers from the French colonies in France's Occupied Zone. Based on new research in French and German archives, this article argues that the treatment of these prisoners by the Germans was less...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:French history 2010-09, Vol.24 (3), p.420-446
Main Author: Scheck, R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:After the conclusion of the armistice with France, the Germans held approximately 120,000 non-white soldiers from the French colonies in France's Occupied Zone. Based on new research in French and German archives, this article argues that the treatment of these prisoners by the Germans was less harsh than is often assumed and that being held in France was an advantage for the POWs. The article further shows that the prisoners experienced a profound disillusionment with the Vichy authorities and later with the Gaullist state. The POW experience therefore helped to drive a wedge between the French state and its colonial soldiers.
ISSN:0269-1191
1477-4542
DOI:10.1093/fh/crq035