Hostages of Empire: Colonial Prisoners of War in Vichy France

The book Hostages of Empire by Sarah Ann Frank examines the experiences of 85,000 soldiers in German captivity during World War II, combining a social history of colonial prisoner-of-war experiences with a broader analysis of their role in Vichys political tensions with the countrys German occupiers. Frank argues that the Vichy regime improved conditions of captivity for colonial prisoners in an attempt to secure their present and future loyalty, but this treatment must be viewed in light of Vichy and Free French racism in the colonies and the Vichy regimes complicity in the Holocaust.

Format: Hardback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 01 July 2021
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

The 2022 Heggoy Prize, awarded by the French Colonial Historical Society, recognizes the significance of "Hostages of Empire" by combining a social history of colonial prisoner-of-war experiences with a broader analysis of their role in Vichys political tensions with the countrys German occupiers. This book delves into the lives of the 85,000 soldiers who were held captive by the German Army during World War II, shedding light on their experiences and the complex dynamics between the French, German, and Vichy authorities.

"Hostages of Empire" explores the intricate relationship between French national pride and the pursuit of increased imperial control following the 1940 defeat. It analyzes the Vichy regime's collaboration with its German occupiers and its efforts to improve conditions of captivity for colonial prisoners, driven by the desire to secure their loyalty both in the present and the future. This French "magnanimity" towards the colonial prisoners is seen as part of a broader framework of racial difference and hierarchy. However, it must be considered in the context of Vichy and Free French racism in the colonies and the regime's complicity in the Holocaust.

The book aims to reconcile two previously distinct histories: that of metropolitan France and that of the French colonies during World War II. It sheds light on the experiences of colonial prisoners, who came from various parts of the French Empire and fought in the Battle for France in 1940. Unlike their French counterparts, who were taken to Germany, the colonial POWs were interned in camps called "Frontstalags" throughout occupied France. This decision to keep colonial POWs in France defined their experience of captivity and the reactions of the French and German authorities.

"Hostages of Empire" provides a nuanced understanding of the complexities of the Vichy regime and its relationship with the German occupiers. It challenges the notion of a straightforward collaboration or resistance and highlights the nuanced ways in which individuals and institutions navigated the challenging circumstances of World War II. The book offers valuable insights into the experiences of colonial prisoners and their role in shaping the history of the French colonies during this period.

Overall, "Hostages of Empire" is a groundbreaking work that contributes to our understanding of World War II and the complex legacies of colonialism. Its combination of social history and political analysis provides a fresh perspective on a critical period in French history, and it is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the Second World War and the complexities of imperialism.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496207777