The Cruel Victory

by Paddy Ashdown

From best-selling author of A Brilliant Little Operation, winner of the British Army Military History prize and the Royal marines History prize for 2013, comes the long neglected D-Day story of the Resistance uprising and subsequent massacre on the Vercors massif – the largest action by the French Resistance during the Second World War.

In early 1941, three separate groups of plotters – one military, one political, one intellectual – began to organise and plan on and around the forbidding mountainous plateau near Grenoble – the Vercors. The aims of the groups were the same: to hasten the departure of the German occupiers; to restore the pride of France after its fall and the humiliations of the puppet Vichy government which followed; and to build a new France. The overwhelming desire to get rid of the Germans would unite them. Their different views of the France they hoped for in the future would divide them.

Over the next three years these sparks of resistance would grow to challenge the might of the hated German occupiers. As the Allied troops stormed the D-Day beaches, the Vercors rose up to fight the Nazis in a planned rearguard action. It was to prove not only the largest Resistance action of the entire war but also, in the severity of the German response, the most brutal crushing of resistance forces in Western Europe.

For the men and women of Vercors, aided and abetted by the Free French forces of General de Gaulle and SOE operatives from London, the events on the Vercors took them on a journey from early idealism through hope, misjudgement, folly, despair, sacrifice and slaughter to a kind of cruel victory. The tragedy drew the attention of those at the highest level of the Allied war effort and placed the Vercors deep into the heart of the history of modern France in a way which resonates still in the country’s daily life and politics.

Long overlooked by English language histories, this magnificent book sets the story in the context of D-Day, the muddle of politics and many misjudgements of D-Day planners in both London and Algiers, and – most importantly – it gives voice to the many Maquisards fighters who fought to gain a voice in their country’s future.

Genres: History, Military History, World War II, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, France

472 pages, Hardcover

First published June 5, 2014

About the author

Following service as a Royal Marine Commando officer of a Special Boat Service unit in the Far East, Paddy Ashdown served as a diplomat in the Foreign Officer before, in due course, being elected as the Member of Parliament for Yeovil, serving in that capacity from 1983 to 2001.

Ashdown went on to serve as the Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 1988 to 1999. Afterwards, he was appointed as the international community's High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, serving from 2002 to 2006.

Ashdown is also an author of many books, which include 'A Brilliant Little Operation (which won the British Army Military History Prize for 2013) and 'The Cruel Victory.'

Reviews

[Dennis Rutzou]

This is a fascinating book and tells in some detail the story of the French Resistance forces in World War 2 and the difficult role they undertook to confront the occupying Nazi forces. Specifically the story hones in on the Battle for Vercors in the French Alps where the difficult mountainous terrain helped the Resistance. But they also had to contend with the difficult radio communications of the era and the incompetent wartime Allied Generals. These problems were magnified by being supplied by air drops from Algiers and Britain and senior officers deciding that they didn't need heavy weapons as they were resistance and they didn't need to stop and fight, but fire light weapons and melt into the bush. This is despite frequently repeated requests from the Resistance for heavy weapons to counter similar German armaments. For me certainly a fascinating book about an absorbing period of history.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read not just about the Battle of Vercor, but also the geography of the area and the political ambitions and stupidity of De Gaulle and various of his henchman. The SOE did not come out smelling of roses, however the brave SOE operatives and radio operators were magnificent.

Well worth the read if you at all interested in France, it’s Post war Politics and the final fall of the German Occupation of France, the German Occupation should be remember for its brutality and infamy. We still suffer from the brutality meted out by the Germans.

[Francis Telegadas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and very interesting story about the Resistance in SE France on the Vercors plateau outside of Grenoble and the organization and small actions up to D-Day and then open set piece warfare with the Germans after D-Day. Heartbreaking and uplifting story of a large action that I had never really heard of until now.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaged and thorough study of the iconic Vercors uprising. Paints both the larger picture and sketches the many personalities involved. The analysis -especially the strategic/military - sometimes might seem flawed, but still the bok is highly recommended as an introductory study.

[Gareth Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting account of the battle of the French resistance and the Nazis for the Vecours. A story of bloody defeat for the most part with cruel reprisals from the nazis but ultimate a tale of courage for those who made it to the end and succeeded.

[Donnacha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hard read, way too much detail. Very boring in parts. Well researched though. But only for real Vercors history enthusiasts. Hard to recommend.

[Harry · Rating 3 out of 5]

"These are the sources used in this chapter" is not how you reference.

[Michael Barrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly the best book on this topic. I have used much of his material as the basis for my own writing. An excellent read, well researched and well written

[Jo Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is as good as I'd hoped it would be after seeing Paddy Ashdown talk about it at the Literature Festival. It's much more about the human side rather than strategy which makes it very accessible.

[Anne Kiely · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed and fascinating account of the Resistance in the Vercors area. This not my usual type of book but it's so well written.

[Stina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not finish. The detailed accounts of the Resistance operations and bravery in the Vercors leading up to D Day were interesting but the detailed military accounts were too much for me.