Odour of Secrecy and Espionage Enveloped Newlyn During the War ; Today Marks an Important Anniversary in Anglo-French History. John Mcwilliams Reports On the Part Played in the Liberation of France by the Neighbouring Celtic Countries of Brittany and Cornwall

Summary

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Seventy years ago today, most of France was occupied by the Nazi army. Hundreds of French people, unwilling to accept German occupation, escaped to the UK, many of them to Cornwall.

On June 15, 1940 General de Gaulle left France and three days later he made his famous radio broadcast from London to the French people. He told them: "We have lost the battle but we have not lost the war." He asked them to join him in fighting for a Free France. This was the beginning of the Free French movement which was to grow into a major force fighting alongside the Allies.

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Extract

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Odour of Secrecy and Espionage Enveloped Newlyn During the War ; Today Marks an Important Anniversary in Anglo-French History. John Mcwilliams Reports On the Part Played in the Liberation of France by the Neighbouring Celtic Countries of Brittany and Cornwall

French fishermen from Brittany had been fishing around Cornwall since 1902. Newlyn, St Ives and Scilly were almost second homes for them and many friendships were made. They were the first to respond to General de Gaulle's appeal. At a time when much of Europe was occupied and Britain was fighting alone, many people thought this a hopeless cause. Not t...

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