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Occupation posters and reports

Tom collected these posters largely at the end of the war in the Bavay, Valenciennes and Denain areas of occupation by Germany.

These more than anything else give some idea of the hardships faced by communities in these areas. Time and time again it is stated that the mayors of the towns and villages - mayors like Gaston Derome - will be held personally responsible for the actions of their inhabitants.

The mayors had to walk a tightrope - the line between co-operation and collaboration was a fine one.

For me the hardest one of all was being unable to gather grass for your livestock other than at the roadside. How did people feel as they watched their cattle and sheep wither away with plenty of grass elsewhere, but deemed out of bounds?

Valenciennes German occupation poster

Occupation poster concerning rendering arms

Valenciennes Poster concerning harvest and crops

Valenciennes occupation poster re hidden enemy of French soldiers

Valenciennes occupation poster concerning the requisitioning of food and drink

Valenciennes occupation poster concerning bons d'arrondissement - food/access coupons

Denain occupation poster concerning agricultural times of work and other details

Denain occupation poster concerning the curfew

Valenciennes occupation poster concerning financial levy

General poster concerning the seizure of household furnishings

Valenciennes occupation poster concerning the requisition of oils and fats

Poster giving fixed prices for dairy products

Denain poster warning civilians not to approach railways

Denain occupation poster notifying civilians of the need for a permit

Denain occupation poster saying mayors will be held responsible for any damage to crops

Denain occupation poster concerning fires

General occupation poster concerning conscription in German

General report on coal and food supplies

General poster advising civilians against escape from work camps

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