The Historical Context of Occupation and Collaboration
When Nazi Germany occupied much of Western Europe during World War II, it created complex social dynamics that would haunt these nations long after liberation. While most historical accounts focus on military resistance or political collaboration, one of the most emotionally charged aspects of the occupation involved personal relationships between local women and German soldiers.
The presence of hundreds of thousands of young German men in occupied territories created an unprecedented social situation. In France alone, nearly two million French men were absent – either prisoners of war or forced laborers in Germany. This gender imbalance, combined with the psychological trauma of defeat and occupation, set the stage for what would become one of the most controversial chapters in post-war European history.
The Phenomenon of “Horizontal Collaboration”
What became known as “horizontal collaboration” – sexual relationships between occupied women and German soldiers – occurred on a surprisingly large scale. Statistics reveal the extent of these relationships:
– In Norway, approximately 10% of women aged 15-30 had German boyfriends during the occupation
– In Denmark, a shocking 51% of women surveyed admitted finding German men more attractive than their own countrymen
– Across Western Europe, estimates suggest between 100,000 to 200,000 children were born from these unions
These relationships developed for various reasons – some women sought protection or material benefits, others genuinely fell in love, while some were coerced. However, the public perception rarely distinguished between these motivations. As French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre later observed, in the occupied nations’ collective psyche, “France always played the female role” in this unequal relationship.
Liberation and the Search for Redemption
When Allied forces began liberating Western Europe in 1944, the pent-up frustrations and humiliations of occupation sought an outlet. While male collaborators often faced formal judicial processes, women accused of “sleeping with the enemy” became targets of popular vengeance.
This phenomenon was particularly pronounced in France, where the trauma of 1940’s swift defeat and the perceived emasculation of French manhood created a psychological need for reasserting masculine pride. The Free French forces, especially the newly formed French Forces of the Interior (FFI), became symbols of this reclaimed virility. As one historian noted, these young resistance fighters often “swaggered through the streets festooned with bandoliers and grenades” – a stark contrast to the powerless image of French men during the occupation.
The Ritual of Public Shaming
The most common form of punishment was the public shaving of women’s heads, a practice that occurred across liberated Europe:
– In France, an estimated 20,000 women underwent this humiliation
– The ritual often took place in town squares before jeering crowds
– Many victims were stripped partially or completely naked
– Some were paraded through streets with swastikas painted on their bodies
– Photographs show these ceremonies were almost exclusively conducted by men
Contemporary accounts reveal the disturbing nature of these events. A British artillery officer described one such scene in northern France where a young woman, after having half her head shaved, jumped up shouting “Long live the Germans” only to be struck down by a brick. In Dieppe, witnesses reported seeing groups of shaved women forced to collect horse manure with their bare hands while wearing placards around their necks.
The Children of War: A Living Reminder
Perhaps the most tragic consequences of these relationships were the children born from them. Across Western Europe, these “war children” faced discrimination and abuse:
– Norway established special committees to determine what to do with these “German” children
– Many were presumed mentally deficient without evidence
– In the Netherlands, some newborns were reportedly killed to preserve family honor
– Norwegian authorities considered mass deportation of these children to Germany
– Many grew up not knowing their fathers’ identities due to societal shame
Recent studies in Norway revealed these children had higher mortality rates, lower educational achievement, and greater likelihood of criminal behavior compared to their peers – consequences of systemic discrimination that lasted decades.
The Psychological and Cultural Legacy
The treatment of these women and their children reveals much about post-war European societies:
1. The need for scapegoats: As historian Peter Novick argued, focusing anger on these women may have prevented more widespread violence against collaborators.
2. Gender dynamics: The punishments reflected deep anxieties about masculinity and national identity in defeated nations.
3. Collective guilt: As French journalist Robert Brasillach noted, while “all of Western Europe slept with Germany,” only the women were punished for it.
4. Historical memory: Many nations suppressed these uncomfortable chapters, with Poland even claiming zero “war children” were born there.
Modern Reckoning and Reflection
In recent decades, there’s been growing recognition of the injustices suffered by these women and their children:
– Norway funded extensive research into the treatment of war children in 2001
– Some countries have offered official apologies
– Historians now view these events as complex social phenomena rather than simple justice
– The experiences have informed modern discussions about occupation, collaboration, and collective punishment
As we look back, the words of French actress Arletty – “My heart is French but my vagina is my own” – challenge us to reconsider where personal freedom ends and national loyalty begins in times of war and occupation. These painful episodes remind us that the aftermath of conflict often produces its own victims, long after the guns fall silent.