WW2TV | The Killing Fields of Provence: Occupation, Resistance and Liberation in the South of France @WW2TV | Uploaded September 2024 | Updated October 2024, 19 minutes ago.
The Killing Fields of Provence: Occupation, Resistance and Liberation in the South of France
With James Bourhill
Part of our Operation Dragoon and South of France series
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDG3XyxGI5lACq37Fjmjk7I6HiPU9QzMq&si=mF9ciq_SQD60dPSu
Also part of our 80th Anniversary Series
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDG3XyxGI5lCyOAGNszPdUOkA43dfSldX&si=bfIRjfLj4XKUcXds
In the South of France, the most memorable event of the Second World War was the sea and airborne invasion of 15 August 1944. Perhaps because it went relatively smoothly, this "Second D-Day" was soon relegated to the back pages of history. Operation Dragoon and the liberation is however only a small part of the story. The arrival of the Allies was preceded by years of suffering and sacrifice under Hitléro-Vichyssois oppression.
Provençale people still struggle to come to terms with the painful past of split-allegiances and empty stomachs, which epitomize les années noirs (the dark years). Deportations, requisitions, forced labour, and hunger provoked some level of resistance by a courageous minority. Many actively colluded with the enemy, but most just waited for better days. By sea and air, Allied agents and Special Forces were infiltrated to fan the flames, but wherever the Resistance rose up prematurely, the reprisals from the Nazis and their auxiliaries were ferocious.
James Bourhill schooled at St John’s College in Johannesburg, South Africa. Bourhill did national service in a mounted infantry unit. His tertiary education began at Cerara College of Agriculture, after which he went farming in Rhodesia and North America before returning to Rustenburg where he lives today.
James' previous appearance on WW2TV
Come Back to Portofino: Through Italy with the 6th South African Armoured Division
youtube.com/live/IqLkTdjeCdE
Buy the book:
UK uk.bookshop.org/a/5843/9781526761323
USA bookshop.org/a/21029/9781526761323
You can become a YouTube Member and support us here youtube.com/channel/UCUC1nmJGHmiKtlkpA6SJMeA
You can become a Patron here patreon.com/WW2TV
Please click subscribe for updates also "like" the video - it really helps!
Social Media links -
twitter.com/WW2TV
facebook.com/WW2TV
instagram.com/ww2tv
WW2TV Merchandise ww2tv.creator-spring.com
WW2TV Bookshop - where you can purchase copies of books featured in my YouTube shows. Any book listed here comes with the personal recommendation of Paul Woodadge, the host of WW2TV. For full disclosure, if you do buy a book through a link from this page WW2TV will earn a commission.
UK - uk.bookshop.org/shop/WW2TV
USA - bookshop.org/shop/WW2TV
Patreon Brigadiers: Susan Yu, David Keahey and Tom Mullen
Become a WW2TV Brigadier and become part of this Hall of Fame
patreon.com/WW2TV
The Killing Fields of Provence: Occupation, Resistance and Liberation in the South of France
With James Bourhill
Part of our Operation Dragoon and South of France series
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDG3XyxGI5lACq37Fjmjk7I6HiPU9QzMq&si=mF9ciq_SQD60dPSu
Also part of our 80th Anniversary Series
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDG3XyxGI5lCyOAGNszPdUOkA43dfSldX&si=bfIRjfLj4XKUcXds
In the South of France, the most memorable event of the Second World War was the sea and airborne invasion of 15 August 1944. Perhaps because it went relatively smoothly, this "Second D-Day" was soon relegated to the back pages of history. Operation Dragoon and the liberation is however only a small part of the story. The arrival of the Allies was preceded by years of suffering and sacrifice under Hitléro-Vichyssois oppression.
Provençale people still struggle to come to terms with the painful past of split-allegiances and empty stomachs, which epitomize les années noirs (the dark years). Deportations, requisitions, forced labour, and hunger provoked some level of resistance by a courageous minority. Many actively colluded with the enemy, but most just waited for better days. By sea and air, Allied agents and Special Forces were infiltrated to fan the flames, but wherever the Resistance rose up prematurely, the reprisals from the Nazis and their auxiliaries were ferocious.
James Bourhill schooled at St John’s College in Johannesburg, South Africa. Bourhill did national service in a mounted infantry unit. His tertiary education began at Cerara College of Agriculture, after which he went farming in Rhodesia and North America before returning to Rustenburg where he lives today.
James' previous appearance on WW2TV
Come Back to Portofino: Through Italy with the 6th South African Armoured Division
youtube.com/live/IqLkTdjeCdE
Buy the book:
UK uk.bookshop.org/a/5843/9781526761323
USA bookshop.org/a/21029/9781526761323
You can become a YouTube Member and support us here youtube.com/channel/UCUC1nmJGHmiKtlkpA6SJMeA
You can become a Patron here patreon.com/WW2TV
Please click subscribe for updates also "like" the video - it really helps!
Social Media links -
twitter.com/WW2TV
facebook.com/WW2TV
instagram.com/ww2tv
WW2TV Merchandise ww2tv.creator-spring.com
WW2TV Bookshop - where you can purchase copies of books featured in my YouTube shows. Any book listed here comes with the personal recommendation of Paul Woodadge, the host of WW2TV. For full disclosure, if you do buy a book through a link from this page WW2TV will earn a commission.
UK - uk.bookshop.org/shop/WW2TV
USA - bookshop.org/shop/WW2TV
Patreon Brigadiers: Susan Yu, David Keahey and Tom Mullen
Become a WW2TV Brigadier and become part of this Hall of Fame
patreon.com/WW2TV
