Remembering the forgotten blitz

Talk outline

In 1944, the population of northern and central France were subject to a ferocious and intense bombing campaign by Allied air forces. The civilian populations of Normandy and the industrial suburbs of Paris, in particular Boulogne-Billancourt, home of the Renault factory, faced the brunt of these attacks. Despite causing as much devastation as the Blitz, the experiences of this bombardment have been largely overlooked. It was only in the 2000s that the French people impacted by these bombs were encouraged to speak about their experiences. This talk will explore the ways that the civilian population of northern and central France have used the example set by Coventry and Dresden as a move towards reconciliation with the past.

About Dr David Lees

David Lees teaches and researches modern French history and politics. In particular, David has worked extensively on the history of France during the Second World War, including the lived experiences of French people under the Vichy government and Nazi Occupation. David is a regular contributor to national and international media and is working on a book on film propaganda in contemporary France.

Host or Publisher School of Modern Languages and Cultures