The greatest escape
Subtitle: how one French community saved thousands of lives from the Nazis
By: Peter Grose
Publisher: Nicholas Brealey Publishing; Brealey Publishing, Nicholas; Hodder & Stoughton
Published: 2014
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 324
ISBN-13: 9781857886269; 9781857889277
Subjects: World War, 1939-1945; Underground movements; Jews; Rescue; History; Ethnic relations; War Underground movements
Description: In the upper reaches of the Loire lies an isolated plateau and the secluded village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon. Their whole village was honoured not just by the French state, but with the extremely rare distinction of Righteous Among Nations by the people of Israel. How they earned this is one of the great modern stories of heroism and courage. Right through the War the community pulled off the astonishing feat of saving the lives of 5000 men, women and children whose very existence was deemed to be unpalatable to the Nazi occupiers and their Vichy stooges. Of those saved approximately 3500 were of Jewish descent. This title tells the story of how one French community saved these lives.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 323-324).
Table of contents: title: Part I. Preparation (1. Pastors ; 2. War ; 3. Camps); title: Part II. Refuge (4. Jews ; Fun ; 6. Rebellion); title: Part III. Occupation (7. Fresh blood ; 8. Forgers ; 9. Arrest ; 10. Switzerland ; 11. Smugglers ; 12. Germans); title: Part IV. Resistance (13. Violence ; 14. Invasion); title: Part V. Liberation (15. Guns ; 16. Victory); title: Conclusion; title: Whatever happened to; title: ?; title: Appendix 1. Huguenots; title: Appendix 2. The weapons of the spirit.