Lyon
September 7, 1942
Pierre Laval picked up the telephone with dread. The president had told him he must place an immediate call to the military commander of German-occupied France, Carl-Heinrich Rudolf Wilhelm von Stülpnagel. Laval was to communicate that the French government would no longer cooperate in the deportation of more Jews, whether foreigners or French nationals. The prime minister knew that this could very well mean the end of the shaky independence of the free zone, but the old marshal had left no room for questions. Public opinion had spoken. After the cardinal of Lyon’s pastoral letter, protests had broken out across the country. Pétain saw his government as dependent on the French, not the power of the Germans.
“Commander, this is the prime minister speaking.”
There was no answer beyond the sound of heavy breathing.
“The president has communicated to me that we must suspend the deportation of foreigners and French citizens of Jewish background. We are obliged to cease all actions of this nature until further orders.”
The German gave no reply. With an army career of nearly forty years, von Stülpnagel’s entire life centered around the defense of his country. He was from a Prussian family of the old guard that prized honor, loyalty, and duty. His cousin Otto von Stülpnagel had previously held the post in France but had been forced to resign when he refused to carry out Hitler’s strict orders against the growing French Resistance. Carl, who had reluctantly accepted the deportation of Jews, was therefore quite aware that opposing Hitler equated to personal and political suicide. For some time he had flirted with covert opposition to the Führer within the German army, but as long as Hitler continued to win battles, von Stülpnagel knew that no one could overthrow him. The SS and the Gestapo were pressing von Stülpnagel for full compliance with racial laws and repression of German enemies. To him it was clear that Himmler was vying for the power that the army still held in Germany.
Finally, he spoke. “Are you aware of what you are asking me to do? The Führer has given very clear orders. He wants all European Jews in Germany by the end of this year.”
“I’m very sorry to say that we are unable to meet his demands.”
“The Führer does not accept no. You’ll have to face the consequences. You are German allies and must respect the agreements between our nations.”
“Yes, sir, and you’re aware that I support German victory—without it, we all lose, and the Bolsheviks will rule the world—but the French people do not want to deport the Jews.”
“Since when do the people make the decisions? Real leaders tell the people what they must believe and do. Repress the protests and get your house in order, or we’ll have to do it for you.”
Laval was silent. He knew that at that moment the Nazis did not have enough men to take over the entire French territory and that the Eastern front was consuming most of their energies. Besides, they needed France in order to continue the war effort, and a couple thousand Jews were not going to break the strong ties between Vichy and Berlin.
Carl-Heinrich Rudolf Whilhelm von Stülpnagel continued, “I will communicate your government’s decision to my own. There will surely be repercussions of some sort. It won’t be long before our troops will spread throughout the entire country. Clearly the Vichy authorities are incapable of maintaining order and keeping their word.”
Laval took the threats seriously, though he presumed that Hitler would eventually calm down and appreciate all the other ways in which the Vichy government showed its loyalty to the Third Reich. Laval’s folly was proved a few months later.