大象传媒

Once the American Army were established in Paris, staff were needed for the headquarters in the capital. Apart from nurses, I believe there were no American personnel available. We were still at war. They were not allowed over here. So they took us.

On 11th September 1944 鈥� a perfect Indian summer鈥檚 day 鈥� the first contingent of British girls were flown over to France in an old transport plane. 鈥淯narmed of course and consequently a sitting target鈥� someone remarked. There was little danger actually as the Germans were too busy on another front.

Kitted out in ATS uniform (which was not pretty) and with 'British Civilian' stitched on our shoulders and berets, we were ready for action. We had to be prepared to be taken prisoner or wounded as we were still at war, so we were complete with dog tags with our name, number and blood group鈥� I have mine still.

On arrival at the French airport 鈥� was it Orly or Le Bourget? 鈥� we were bundled into an open truck with our kitbags and driven to our billet up on the Champs Elys茅es. It was a city bedecked with flags, red, white and blue. Gone was the hated swastika. In the distance we could see the Tricolore, billowing gently in the breeze, once more in its rightful place under the Arc de Triomphe.

The tables outside the caf茅s were full 鈥� people were basking in the warm sunshine and freedom.

As we passed, it seemed they knew we were British and all those people stood and cheered and waived. When we realised they were cheering us we felt choked and humble. It was said the French had hoped the British would liberate Paris instead of Brussels鈥�.

They wanted to see Churchill. When he came some time later and drove up that famous Champs Elys茅es the bystanders crowding around me had tears in their eyes as he passed by as, indeed, I had too.
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There is one final story I would like to tell because I loved it and remember it to this day with a smile.

The weeks after that wonderful drive on our first day were followed by many, many invitations by the Parisians to visit them, take wine with them, dine with them 鈥� all different kinds of people and all so warm and genuine in their joy that the war was turning and we were part of it.

Although forbidden, they had been listening to their wireless sets keeping them au courant with the situation in England.

My ambition was to buy a really ripe Camembert cheese.

I found a shop which sold cheeses. I made my request. 鈥溾��.and really ripe 鈥� bien fait Monsieur鈥� I pleaded. 鈥淢ais oui Madame, but please take a glass of wine with my family at the back of my shop.鈥� I accepted of course. Then the chosen cheese was placed in my hand. 鈥淵ou will find it really very ripe, the best you ever tasted鈥� he assured me.

Back in my room, for safety鈥檚 sake, because it smelt very strong, I put it out on my balcony. The next day I collected it. Half of it was moving 鈥� I think if I鈥檇 left it any longer the whole cheese would have walked off the edge of the balcony鈥�..
However, the stationary half was delicious and I reported this to my shopkeeper. He was delighted I had genuinely appreciated at least half of his cheese! We had another glass of wine together.

Angela Vivien

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