112 Gripes about the French
Encyclopedia
112 Gripes about the French was a 1945 handbook issued by the United States military
authorities to enlisted personnel arriving in France
after the Liberation
. It was meant to defuse the growing tension between the American military and the locals.
The euphoria of victory over Germany was short-lived, and within months of Liberation, tensions began to rise between the French and the U.S. military personnel stationed in the country, with the former seeing the latter as arrogant and wanting to flaunt their apparent wealth, and the latter seeing the former as proud and resentful. Fights were breaking out ever more often, and fears were raised, even among high officials, that the situation might eventually lead to a breakdown of civil order.
Set out in a question-and-answer format, 112 Gripes about the French posed a series of well-rehearsed, and caricatural, complaints about the French and then to each provided a common-sense rejoinder — the aim of the authors being to bring the average American soldier to a fuller understanding of his hosts.
It has recently been republished in the United States (ISBN 1-4191-6512-7), and in France under the title "Nos amis les Français" ("Our friends the French"), ISBN 2-7491-0128-X.
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
authorities to enlisted personnel arriving in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
after the Liberation
Military history of France during World War II
The military history of France during World War II covers the period from 1939 until 1940, which witnessed French military participation under the French Third Republic , and the period from 1940 until 1945, which was marked by mainland and overseas military administration and influence struggles...
. It was meant to defuse the growing tension between the American military and the locals.
The euphoria of victory over Germany was short-lived, and within months of Liberation, tensions began to rise between the French and the U.S. military personnel stationed in the country, with the former seeing the latter as arrogant and wanting to flaunt their apparent wealth, and the latter seeing the former as proud and resentful. Fights were breaking out ever more often, and fears were raised, even among high officials, that the situation might eventually lead to a breakdown of civil order.
Set out in a question-and-answer format, 112 Gripes about the French posed a series of well-rehearsed, and caricatural, complaints about the French and then to each provided a common-sense rejoinder — the aim of the authors being to bring the average American soldier to a fuller understanding of his hosts.
It has recently been republished in the United States (ISBN 1-4191-6512-7), and in France under the title "Nos amis les Français" ("Our friends the French"), ISBN 2-7491-0128-X.
See also
- Anti-French sentiment in the United StatesAnti-French sentiment in the United StatesAnti-French sentiment in the United States is the manifestation of Francophobia by Americans. It signifies a consistent hostility toward the government, culture, and people of France that employs stereotypes.-Understanding anti-French sentiments:...
- Franco-American relationsFranco-American relationsFranco-American relations refers to the international relations between France and the United States. Its groundwork was laid by the colonization of parts of the Americas by the European powers France and Great Britain...
- FrancophobiaFrancophobiaFrancophobia or Gallophobia are terms that refer to a dislike or hatred toward France, the People of France, the Government of France, or the Francophonie...
- Military history of France during World War IIMilitary history of France during World War IIThe military history of France during World War II covers the period from 1939 until 1940, which witnessed French military participation under the French Third Republic , and the period from 1940 until 1945, which was marked by mainland and overseas military administration and influence struggles...
- Military of the United StatesMilitary of the United StatesThe United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...