On May 10 1940, the German army marched into Luxembourg and occupied the country. The government in power, as well as the head of the state, Grand-Duchesse Charlotte, managed to escape the country. During the occupation, Luxembourgish society was faced with a strict and oppressive political rule. Some members of the population collaborated; some invested their energy into the resistance groups. After the liberation by the allied forces, it was mostly the latter, that is, the resistance, who remained unforgotten and became part of the national narrative.

References:

  • Artuso, Vincent, Dépasser le mythe national; in: d’Lëtzebuerger Land, 11. November 2011.
  • Artuso, Vincent, La collaboration au Luxembourg durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale (1940 – 1945) – Accomodation, adaptation, assimilation, Frankfurt a. Main 2013.
  • Dostert, Paul, Luxemburg zwischen Selbstbehauptung und nationaler Selbstaufgabe, Luxembourg 1985.