Strong in Will: Working for the American Embassy in Paris During the Nazi Occupation

by: Marie-Louise Dilkes (Author),Virginia A. Dilkes (Editor)

Publisher: Casemate

Publication Date: 2024/2/15

Language: English

Print Length: 320 pages

ISBN-10: 1636243789

ISBN-13: 9781636243788

Book Description

“…worth reading for the civilian point of view on military events, including observations on the U.S. Army’s retu to France in 1944. It is also excellent background reading for those who want to know about wartime life in France.” ―The Joual of America’s Military Past“September 1939 slipped into October quite silently as if it did not want to attract any notice. The atmosphere is tense with expectancy, ready for the critical times that lie ahead. Everyone is geared for eventualities with courage and the élan of high purpose. Members of the Embassy staff have received their orders to leave for different posts: Bordeaux for some, Nantes for others and for others the Château de Candé. Some of us volunteered to remain in Paris. I was one of them. Paris will be safe or as dangerous as any other place, perhaps safer as every effort will be made to protect the city with its priceless works of art and its beauty.” Marie-Louise Dilkes’ astute observations of life in Paris during World War II are written from the unique perspective of the receptionist for the American Embassy. The Embassy was the first—or last—resort for many caught up in the chaos of war, and hers was the first face they would see as they walked through the grand doors. She takes us from the conquest and occupation of Paris by German forces but includes the war-time jouey of the American consulate in Paris from Paris to Lisbon to Lyon to Be and back to Paris. She ends with the triumphant retu of members of the American Embassy staff, after the Allies forced the German Army out of Paris, and the reestablishment of the American Embassy in Paris.Table of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionThe US Embassy in ParisAugust 25, 1939–June 14, 1940—Turbulent TimesJune 15–December 31, 1940—The OccupationJanuary 1, 1941–June 3, 1941—Relocates to VichyJune 4, 1941–July 20, 1941—The Embassy in Paris Becomes a ConsulateJuly 20, 1941–December 26, 1941—American Consulate Leaves ParisEpilogueNotesGlossaryBibliographyAcknowledgementsIndex

About the Author

“…worth reading for the civilian point of view on military events, including observations on the U.S. Army’s retu to France in 1944. It is also excellent background reading for those who want to know about wartime life in France.” ―The Joual of America’s Military Past“September 1939 slipped into October quite silently as if it did not want to attract any notice. The atmosphere is tense with expectancy, ready for the critical times that lie ahead. Everyone is geared for eventualities with courage and the élan of high purpose. Members of the Embassy staff have received their orders to leave for different posts: Bordeaux for some, Nantes for others and for others the Château de Candé. Some of us volunteered to remain in Paris. I was one of them. Paris will be safe or as dangerous as any other place, perhaps safer as every effort will be made to protect the city with its priceless works of art and its beauty.” Marie-Louise Dilkes’ astute observations of life in Paris during World War II are written from the unique perspective of the receptionist for the American Embassy. The Embassy was the first—or last—resort for many caught up in the chaos of war, and hers was the first face they would see as they walked through the grand doors. She takes us from the conquest and occupation of Paris by German forces but includes the war-time jouey of the American consulate in Paris from Paris to Lisbon to Lyon to Be and back to Paris. She ends with the triumphant retu of members of the American Embassy staff, after the Allies forced the German Army out of Paris, and the reestablishment of the American Embassy in Paris.Table of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionThe US Embassy in ParisAugust 25, 1939–June 14, 1940—Turbulent TimesJune 15–December 31, 1940—The OccupationJanuary 1, 1941–June 3, 1941—Relocates to VichyJune 4, 1941–July 20, 1941—The Embassy in Paris Becomes a ConsulateJuly 20, 1941–December 26, 1941—American Consulate Leaves ParisEpilogueNotesGlossaryBibliographyAcknowledgementsIndex