Comments on: Berthe Fraser, from Housewife to French Resistance Hero

By: David Mortlock

David Mortlock — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:55:10 +0000

I was in the first gtoup of students to be in an exchange programme organized between the Alliance Francaise Society of my school, the Burton (on Trent)Grammar School and the Union Fraternalle Franco-Britannique based in Arras. I met M. Fraser during this time besause the UFF-B was essentially made up from old Maquis members. She ran a perfume shop in the centre of Arras.
I won’t go into more detail here, but I have photographs of my time there and have excellent recollections of the events. I lived in Vimy with the Accart family and returned only last week from a trip through the area, revisiting places of interest.
If you require any details then get in touch with me.

By: Steve Lifton

Steve Lifton — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:36:08 +0000

Hi, I recently read a book by a female author (her first novel) about a young woman (I think British) that is accidently drawn into the French Resistance. The book also is the story of a horrible Frenchman who will do anything to make money. The woman falls in love with a British Airman and has a son out of wedlock by a young man in England. In her shame she goes to live in Normandy with a French family that are distant relatives. I wanted to give the book to a friend to read but somehow have misplaced it. I would appreciate anyone that might know the name of this book so that I can perhaps get it from our local library. Thank you in advance, merci beaucoup, Steve

By: Women of The French Resistance

Women of The French Resistance — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:37:24 +0000

[...] read this post on Berthe Fraser, a brave housewife who contributed to the salvation of her country from her simple domestic [...]

By: Behind Enemy Lines

Behind Enemy Lines — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 04:09:48 +0000

[...] first mentioned this book on my blog last year in this post on Berthe Fraser, as part of a series I wrote on the women of the French Resistance. At the end of [...]

By: Marthe Cohn

Marthe Cohn — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:46:57 +0000

I just discovered your site where ma story is reported along those of geat women resistantes.

I am honored to find myself in such illustrious company.

My very best,

Marthe Cohn

By: Paula Bostick

Paula Bostick — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 06:25:58 +0000

I recently became interested in the French Resistance after reading Under a War Torn Sky by L.M. Elliott. I teach English and with a group of other teachers was looking for a book that could be used in the classroom. This is a wonderful book for readers at the 5 grade and up level. It is based on stories told to the author by her father who was in the war.

By: Kristin

Kristin — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:17:01 +0000

Bonjour Jennifer,

Thank you for the story of Berthe Fraser. It is hard to imagine the bravery behind such a soul. Just this morning, I read the story of Dina Vierny, artist’s model for Aristide Maillol. She, too, was a brave soul! You may have already seen this morning’s article in the NY Times.

Also, a film you might love: Jean Moulin (with Charles Berling). It is no longer available, but I enjoyed it so much (having watched it on TV last week).

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:42:31 +0000

Tipper, thanks for the comment. I know what you mean about this era of history. Such depravity, but such bravery – it’s stuff we can truly learn from if we would.

By: tipper

tipper — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:17:47 +0000

Jennifer this is one of my favorite times in history-I’m fascinated by all of it! Thank you for all the links-and tips about books and films. I’m going to be looking for some of them. This was very well written!

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:50:25 +0000

Lorri, wonderful, thanks for the link to your review on the Marthe Cohn book – I look forward to reading that!

By: Lorri

Lorri — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:42:31 +0000

Jennifer: Thank for stopping by. I am linking you to a review I made on a book by Marthe Cohn, a French spy during WWII. It is a fantastic read!

Your list is fantastic, and such an excellent group of links.

http://jewwishes.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/jew-wishes-on-behind-enemy-lines-by-marthe-cohn/?preview=true&preview_id=396&preview_nonce=0dcef02940

I don’t know anything furhter on Berthe, though, but did a quick check. Have you seen this link on Berthe?

Lorri/Jew Wishes

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:58:56 +0000

Sarah, thank you for reading! Also, I didn't have time or the emotional energy to talk about other Resistance efforts during WWII, but the Dutch Resistance is also a fascinating subject. There's the Diary of Anne Frank, of course, and a few other outstanding sources I'd recommend on the Dutch Resistance are: The Reckoning, an award-winning documentary following the lives of six survivors of the Dutch Resistance. Things We Couldn't Say: A dramatic account of Christian resistance in Holland during WWII by Diet Eman. This is the true story of a young Christian woman who joined the resistance movement in the Netherlands during WWII.

By: Sarah at SmallWorld

Sarah at SmallWorld — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:29:33 +0000

Fantastic reading list, thanks!