Word: laval
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...Violent Emotion." The next day Pierre Laval shuffled into court, fedora in hand, grey-striped suit hanging loosely from his gaunt frame. He wore a soiled white tie. For two days he testified as the "court's witness...
Uncertain at first, Laval soon regained his old bearing. He dominated the chamber. He ignored judicial admonitions, whispered to reporters, half-bowed and smiled ingratiatingly at the Marshal. Though he knew he was not yet on trial, he also knew that his testimony was a prelude to his own fight for life...
...Laval sought to identify himself and Pétain as partners in collaboration. He admitted that he had broadcast to the nation: "I hope for a German victory." But that broadcast, he added, "was approved by the Marshal...
...Laval continued: collaboration was a double game to fool the Germans and insure French survival. . . . (Hoots of derision from the jury.) Shouted Laval: "Who in his right mind would have thought otherwise than that Germany would win the war?" . . . (The hoots swelled into a roar.) Screamed Laval: "I am not a Nazi. I am not a fascist. ... I hate war-even when we win, and we always lose. ... I love the republic. ... I resent being called Pétain's 'evil genius...
...witness continued: he was not responsible for the murders of French patriots by Vichyminister Joseph Darnand's notorious "Blackbird" militia. He had denounced no one. In fact, he personally had saved ex-Premier Reynaud and Léon Blum from Gestapo execution. The prosecution confronted Laval with a letter he had written to Pétain: "... A few spectacular executions will prevent disorder and anarchy. . . ." Cried Laval: "I respect human life." (Searing laughter in the courtroom...