Mrs Henderson's Limp
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Notice
Notice posted in Tulle on the afternoon of
9th June 1944
Citizens of Tulle!
Forty German soldiers were murdered in the most abominable way by Communist gangs. The peaceful population has experienced terror. The military authorities want only order. The loyal people of the city desire it too. The fearful and cowardly way in which the German soldiers were killed proves very unfortunately that there are also French police officers or gendarmes who, by abandoning their post, did not follow the instructions given and made common cause with the Communists.
For the maquis and those who help them, there is only one penalty, the torture of hanging. They do not fight in open combat, they have no sense of honour. 40 German soldiers were murdered by the maquis. 120 maquis or their accomplices will be hanged. Their bodies will be thrown into the river.
In the future, for each German soldier who is injured, three maquis will be hanged; for each German soldier who is murdered, ten maquis or an equal number of their accomplices will also be hanged.
I demand the loyal collaboration of the civilian population to effectively fight this common enemy, the communist gangs.
Tulle, 9 June 1944
The commander of the German forces
Historical note