Otto Abetz and His Paris Acolytes: Unraveling the Nazi Network in Occupied France

Otto Abetz and His Paris Acolytes: French Writers Who Flirted with Fascism, 1930-1945

by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3858 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	386 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

When Nazi Germany invaded France in 1940, Adolf Hitler appointed Otto Abetz as the ambassador to the occupied country. Abetz, a seasoned diplomat with a deep understanding of French culture and politics, was tasked with establishing a Nazi puppet government and suppressing any resistance to German rule.

One of Abetz's key strategies was to recruit a network of French collaborators who would assist the Nazi regime in its efforts to control the country. These individuals, known as the 'Acolytes of Paris,' came from various backgrounds and included politicians, intellectuals, businessmen, and journalists.

Prominent Acolytes

Among the most prominent acolytes was Jacques Doriot, the leader of the fascist French People's Party. Doriot was a staunch supporter of Hitler and believed that France's future lay in collaboration with Nazi Germany. He became one of the most vocal advocates for the Nazi occupation and played a key role in recruiting other collaborators.

Another influential acolyte was Marcel Déat, a former socialist who had become disillusioned with the Third Republic. Déat believed that the Nazis represented a new order in Europe and that France should embrace the Nazi ideology. He established the National Popular Rally, a political party that supported collaboration with Germany.

In addition to Doriot and Déat, other notable acolytes included Pierre Laval, a former prime minister who collaborated with the Nazis after the fall of France; Jean Luchaire, a journalist who used his platform to promote Nazi propaganda; and Fernand de Brinon, a businessman who served as secretary of state in the Vichy government.

Activities of the Acolytes

The Acolytes of Paris played a variety of roles in assisting the Nazi occupation. They helped to establish the puppet Vichy government, which collaborated with the Nazis and implemented their policies. They also worked to suppress resistance movements and persecute Jews and other minorities.

In the media, acolytes such as Jean Luchaire and Robert Brasillach used their platforms to spread Nazi propaganda and attack the resistance. They portrayed the Nazis as liberators and claimed that collaboration was the only way to save France from communism.

In the business world, acolytes like Fernand de Brinon and Pierre-Étienne Flandin used their influence to benefit German companies and undermine the French economy. They also helped to implement Nazi economic policies, such as the forced labor program that sent French workers to Germany.

Resistance to the Acolytes

Despite the efforts of Abetz and his acolytes, the Nazi occupation of France was met with widespread resistance. Resistance movements emerged throughout the country, ranging from small groups of saboteurs to large-scale guerrilla armies.

One of the most famous resistance groups was the French Resistance, which was led by General Charles de Gaulle. The French Resistance carried out a variety of operations, including acts of sabotage, assassinations of Nazi collaborators, and the liberation of towns and cities.

In addition to the French Resistance, other resistance groups included the Free French Forces, which operated outside of France, and the Jewish Fighting Organization, which fought against the Nazis and their collaborators in Paris.

Legacy of the Acolytes

The Acolytes of Paris played a significant role in the Nazi occupation of France. They helped to establish the Vichy government, suppress resistance movements, and persecute Jews and other minorities.

After the liberation of France in 1944, many of the acolytes were tried for treason and collaboration. Some were executed, while others received prison sentences. However, some acolytes, such as Pierre Laval, escaped justice and lived out their lives in exile.

The legacy of the Acolytes of Paris is a complex one. They were traitors who betrayed their country and collaborated with the Nazis. However, they were also complex individuals who were motivated by a variety of factors, including a desire for power, a belief in Nazi ideology, or a fear of communism.

By understanding the activities of Otto Abetz and his acolytes, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the Nazi occupation of France and the resistance movements that emerged to oppose it.

Otto Abetz and His Paris Acolytes: French Writers Who Flirted with Fascism, 1930-1945

by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3858 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	386 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE