Petain's crime: the full story of French collaboration in the Holocaust

by Paul Webster

"Pétain's Crime" investigates the role of Marchal Philippe Pétain in the persecution and mass murder of Jews under the Vichy government. It remains the definitive account of this hero and national saviour, whose complicity was long hidden in secrecy and shame.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, France, World War II, Holocaust

329 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Mikey B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compelling account of the Vichy years. Mr. Webster outlines the crimes perpetrated against Jews by the French (and the Germans). It is always awful to read in Holocaust history of the abduction of children, of women, of older people and their subsequent murder. Although some French helped save and succour the Jewish people (and the Catholic Church played a role as well); at least an equal number did the opposite – and some were exonerated after the liberation and lived lives of little repentance for the crimes they committed.

This book is more about the Holocaust that took place on French soil and the active role played in it with the full cooperation of French authorities at all levels (local governments, police...). It also discusses the role of the French military like the French admiral Francois Darlan.

[Ipswichblade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent book about the Vichy government’s involvement in the holocaust and the years it has taken to bring the collaborators to justice

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably a re-read. It was written in 1990 and chronicals the active collaboration of the Vichy Government in Jewish presecution during the war. At the time of publication the French denied any complicity.