CIRCLE OF HATRED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22786, 10 January 1944, Page 2

CIRCLE OF HATRED

Frenchwomen Harass Nazis

The calculated hatred bestowed by the women of France upon German occupation forces has blossomed into a warfare for which the Nazis have no adequate defence, according to French underground reports. French women trip the Germans in Paris subways, cut crosses of Lorraine in their coats, and insult them by refusing offers of seats from the “correct” Nazis in crowded trains.

The London correspondent of the “New York Times” said that a 22-year-old Parisan school teacher, just escaped to London, t<jld how the Germans’ troubles had increased recently. She <sa)d many of them realised the Reich was losing the war and their nerves were cracking. The teacher told of organising a “Friday Evening Circle” among her friends. Its sole purpose was to harass the Germans from 5 o’clock until midnight every Friday evening so that each Nazi thus dealt with would never forget the atmosphere of constant hate in which he lived.

The women of France provide more positive service for the Allies by transporting ammunition for the underground, informing the British of German military installations and ship movements, aiding American airmen to escape and carrying the messages with which the underground leaders maintain contact.

For three years the Parisan school teacher carried on this dangerous work, with death her constant companion should she be detected. Finally her activities were betrayed by a homeless Frenchman to whom she gave refuge, and she had to flee to London. Disguised, she sought refuge wherever she could find it and moved every few days. French women feel it a point of honour to look well dressed before the hated Nazis, the school teacher said, even if it means making frocks out of window curtains or any other material that comes to hand.

This annoys the Germans. No matter how much they pay for Parisian clothes for their wives, the German women never have the same smart appearance. French stylists deliberately create expensive gowns and frocks that emphasise the bad points of the heavy German figure. Many French women have been killed performing the routine business of the underground. “They are taking even more risks than the men,” a French Army officer said.