npr.org
WWII's Dark Legacy in France
A French family confronts the legacy of rape and murder committed by U.S. soldiers during World War II, revealing a dark side of the Allied victory and the racial bias within the U.S. military.
English
United States
Human Rights ViolationsRussia Ukraine WarGender IssuesRacismRapeWorld War IiMilitary JusticeFamily Trauma
U.s. ArmySupreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (Shaef)578Th Field Artillery Regiment
Eugène TournellecCatherine TournellecMichelle SalaünMary Louise RobertsDwight D. Eisenhower
- What happened to the Tournellec family in August 1944?
- In August 1944, a 47-year-old French farmer, Eugène Tournellec, was murdered and his 17-year-old daughter, Catherine, was raped by a U.S. soldier in Brittany, France.
- What is the significance of the documentary "Ok, Joe!"?
- The documentary "Ok, Joe!" sheds light on the executions of Black soldiers accused of rape and murder in France after D-Day, highlighting the racism and injustice within the U.S. military at the time.
- Why did Catherine Tournellec keep the rape a secret for so long?
- Catherine Tournellec, the rape survivor, kept the incident secret for many years due to societal shame and stigma. Only on her deathbed did she reveal the truth to her children.
- How did the U.S. Army respond to the problem of rape committed by its soldiers?
- The U.S. Army was concerned about the high number of rapes committed by its soldiers in the aftermath of D-Day, and they decided to disproportionately blame and punish Black soldiers for these crimes.
- How does the Tournellec family reconcile their personal tragedy with the historical narrative of the Allied victory?
- The family of Eugène Tournellec found it difficult to reconcile their personal tragedy with the celebratory narrative surrounding the Allied victory in World War II, highlighting the complicated and often painful legacy of war.