French President Calls for Acknowledgement of Overlooked WWII Victims
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Strasbourg’s liberation by Free French troops, President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to the city’s historical liberation from Nazi occupation while calling for recognition of often overlooked victims of World War II, particularly those who were forcibly conscripted into the German army.
Honoring the Liberation and General Philippe Leclerc
The official commemoration, held on Saturday, took place in Strasbourg’s Broglie Square, where Macron participated in a military ceremony to honor General Philippe Leclerc, who led the Free French forces into the city on November 23, 1944. In the presence of veterans and local citizens, the president acknowledged the bravery of those who fought for the city’s freedom.
Veteran Roger Le Neures, now 101 years old, reflected on the historical moment when the French flag was raised atop the Strasbourg Cathedral. For him and others who fought in the liberation, that moment symbolized the achievement of their ultimate goal: “When we knew the flag was up on the cathedral, we had reached our objective — freedom, freeing Alsace,” Le Neures recalled.
Acknowledging the Tragedy of the “Malgré-nous”
Macron’s speech brought attention to the forgotten experiences of tens of thousands of Alsatian men who were forced to join the German army during the war. These men, known as Malgré-nous (“against our will”), were coerced into fighting for Germany, despite their reluctance and opposition. Macron emphasized that the suffering of these conscripts should finally be recognized, stating, “This tragedy must be named, recognized, and taught.”
The Malgré-nous are often left out of the historical narrative, but Macron stressed that their forced enlistment and subsequent hardships deserved greater acknowledgment and understanding.
Reflecting on the Atrocities of Natzweiler-Struthof
In addition to honoring the city’s liberators, Macron visited the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp, located in the region, where thousands of prisoners perished. During the ceremony in Strasbourg, the president underscored the brutal legacy of the camp, emphasizing the tragic fate of the forced conscripts who suffered there. He highlighted that their torment had often been ignored or misunderstood, calling for a more comprehensive understanding of the atrocities that occurred.
Marc Bloch’s Legacy and Reburial in the Panthéon
Macron also used the occasion to announce that Marc Bloch, the renowned historian and Resistance fighter who was tortured and executed by the Gestapo in 1944, would be reburied in the Panthéon, France’s national monument to the country’s great figures. Bloch’s posthumous work, L’Etrange Defaite (“The Strange Defeat”), which critiqued France’s failure to adequately prepare for war, was highlighted as an important contribution to France’s complex WWII history.
The announcement was met with heartfelt appreciation from Bloch’s family, particularly his great-granddaughter, who expressed gratitude for the honor. However, the family requested that far-right political figures be excluded from the Panthéon ceremony, citing concerns about the political tensions surrounding the commemoration.
Reflecting on the Overlooked Suffering of WWII Victims
While the anniversary of Strasbourg’s liberation celebrated the courage of those who fought for the city’s freedom, it also served as a moment to reflect on the often-overlooked sacrifices made by those who suffered under Nazi oppression. Macron’s speech called for a more inclusive recognition of the victims, particularly the Malgré-nous and the countless individuals who perished at Natzweiler-Struthof, ensuring that their stories would not be forgotten in the broader narrative of World War II.
In marking this significant anniversary, Macron’s remarks encouraged a deeper understanding of the complex legacies of the war and called for greater acknowledgment of the suffering experienced by those who were caught in the grips of Nazi tyranny.
