Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 23/09/2026One I hadn't seen before: Franco-Prussian War memorial in Nantes. Inaugurated in 1897, then hidden away to prevent it being melted down in the Second World War, then forgotten about until 1981, before finally being put back on a new pedestal in 1987. 000
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Had a productive trip to the Archives Nationales d'Outre Mer (Aix) last week, looking at the US bombing of French Indochina in the Second World War. Next stop: the Archives Diplomatiques at Nantes to look at the bombing of Tunisia in 1942-43. 030
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Now Eric Ciotti has decided to add his voice to the demands for the return of Napoleon III's ashes to France. www.lejdd.fr/politique/re...lejdd.frÉric Ciotti (UDR) propose de ramener les cendres de Napoléon III en FranceAprès Jordan Bardella, Éric Ciotti relance le débat sur le retour en France des cendres de Napoléon III. Dans une tribune publiée par « Le Figaro » avec le député UDR Maxime Michelet, le maire de Nic... 000
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 15/09/2026En route to Aix via Marseille to spend a few days at the archives. 040
Reposted by Karine VarleyDónal Hassett @donalh.bsky.social · 05/09/2026The human remains of two Algerian tirailleurs who died in the Franco-Prussian War and were displayed in the anatomical collections of the University of Freiburg have been identified as 'Abdallah Ben Lein' and 'Abdel-Kadn-Ben-Ladsche'. www.france24.com/fr/europe/20...france24.com"Ces tirailleurs se sont sacrifiés" : les restes de deux "turcos" algériens retrouvés en AllemagnePlus de 150 ans après leur mort à la suite de la bataille de Reichshoffen en Alsace durant la guerre de 1870, les restes de deux tirailleurs algériens ont été découverts dans les collections anatomiqu... 1146
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Since I'm in the area, I was intrigued to see where the French Delegation to the German Armistice Commission was based in the Second World War. Wiesbaden must have seemed like home from home for Vichy's officials. There’s even a hot spring opposite the building, now the Hessian State Chancellory. 000
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Apparently even Napoleon III could be sent back to France under a Nigel Farage government. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli... 010
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Part one of the De Gaulle film did not disappoint. It was particularly interesting to see how de Gaulle's responses to Mers-el-Kébir and Dakar were portrayed. Unusual to see Admiral Darlan portrayed as well. Very much looking forward to part two. 120
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 05/08/2026Have to admit, I'd expected this file marked 'Complaints by General de Gaulle' to be much thicker. 160
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 11/07/2026TheDreyfus statue will be placed opposite the Cour de cassation. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...theguardian.comAlfred Dreyfus statue to finally receive permanent home in central ParisSculpture of Jewish army officer wrongly accused of treason has been moved around the city for decades 010
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 03/07/2026CFP: Protect civilians from air warfare. Civil defence in France and Europe during the Second World War/ Protéger les civils de la guerre aérienne. Les défenses passives en France et en Europe pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale Deadline 31 July 2026 calenda.org/1383614calenda.orgProtéger les civils de la guerre aérienne. Les défenses passives en...Depuis les années 1920, les frontières entre le front et l’arrière s’estompent jusqu’à ce que les civils deviennent les premières victimes de la guerre aérienne pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. ... 101
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 18/06/2026Since today marks the 86th anniversary, here's the original manuscript of General de Gaulle's 18 June 1940 'appel' on BBC radio, exhibited last year at the Archives Nationales (Paris). 011
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 26/05/2026I’m delighted to learn that my edited volume on the Franco-Prussian War is now available in cheaper paperback edition. www.routledge.com/The-Franco-P...routledge.comThe Franco-Prussian War: Turning-Points in European Experiences and Perceptions of Military ConflictThe Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71 has traditionally been seen as a limited conflict between French and German forces. This edited volume challenges this view and shows that it was a war of ideas, val... 24110
Reposted by Karine VarleySteven Wilson @profstevenwilson.bsky.social · 07/11/2025Please sign the petition below in support of colleagues at Nottingham, where courses in the highly respected Dept of Modern Languages & Cultures have been earmarked for suspension.c.orgWe Can Make an Impact.Stop the removal of Modern Languages courses at the University of Nottingham! 077
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 16/09/2025It can often be difficult to get reviews of edited volumes. I'm therefore very grateful to Michael Epkenhans for this thoughtful review of my edited volume, The Franco-Prussian War. Turning-Points in European Experiences and Perceptions of Military Conflict. www.hsozkult.de/publicationr...hsozkult.deRezension zu: K. Varley (Hrsg.): The Franco-Prussian WarRezension zu / Review of: Varley, Karine: The Franco-Prussian War. Turning-Points in European Experiences and Perceptions of Military Conflict 010
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 08/09/2025Interesting graphic on the longevity of France's Prime Ministers under the Fifth Republic. Pompidou comes out top at 2279 days! 010
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 01/09/2025On 13 September, I'll be speaking about the Allied bombing of France and its colonial empire during the Second World War as part of this year's Royal Society of Edinburgh Curious Festival. rse.org.uk/event/the-mo...rse.org.ukThe moral cost of victory during WWIIExplore how Allied bombing in WWII caused civilian deaths in France and colonies – and how leaders justified these moral and ethical dilemmas. 020
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 06/08/2025According to a poll for Le Figaro, 83% of the French population oppose the government's plans to allow the Corsican Assembly to pass legislation. www.corsenetinfos.corsica/Le-Figaro-so...corsenetinfos.corsicaLe Figaro sonde ses lecteurs sur l’autonomie corse : plus de 83 % contre le pouvoir législatifAlors que le projet de révision constitutionnelle sur l’autonomie de la Corse a été adopté en Conseil des ministres, un sondage en ligne lancé par Le Figaro révèle une large majorité d'opinions défavo... 100
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 21/07/2025Batholdi's Lion de Belfort at place Denfert-Rochereau in Paris looks like it would benefit from being cleaned. 000
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 15/07/2025Registration for 'Resist' French History conference, Paris. Already good. 130
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 14/07/2025As an added bonus, I also saw Louis XVI's famous 'rien' diary entry for 14 July 1789. 040
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 14/07/2025Since the archives in Paris were closed today, I went to the Musée des Archives Nationales to see the original manuscript of de Gaulle's 'appel' of 18 June 1940. Fascinating to see the revisions. 041
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 13/07/2025Macron announces annual commemoration for Alfred Dreyfus on 12 July. www.elysee.fr/emmanuel-mac...elysee.frUne journée de commémoration nationale pour Alfred Dreyfus, pour la victoire de la justice et de la vérité contre la haine et l’antisémitisme.Lire la déclaration du Président de la République. 010
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 13/07/2025Waiting for my delayed flight and already bumped into another French historian heading to the Paris conference 010
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 08/07/2025Is Macron planning to 'go on and on'? www.politico.eu/article/macr...politico.euMacron in 2032? French leader floats future in national politics after term endsThe French president is constitutionally barred from serving a third consecutive term but could return in a later election. 001
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 23/06/2025I thoroughly enjoyed attending 'The Global Mediterranean and the Long Second World War' conference in Naples. Excellent papers combined with an amazing setting, finished off with pizza. Lots of new approaches to the Mediterranean to think over. 110
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 19/06/2025As conference locations go, this is pretty good... 020
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 19/06/2025Looking forward to discussing the Mediterranean dimensions of the Second World War in Naples over the next couple of days. 000
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 13/06/2025Just caught this interesting new exhibition at the Imperial War Museum. 100
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 12/06/2025Interesting discussion about the periodisation of the Second World War at the National Army Museum last night. Looking forward to the rest of the conference. 010
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 02/06/2025'Promoting Alfred Dreyfus to the rank of brigadier general would constitute an act of reparation, a recognition of his merits, and a tribute to his commitment to the republic.' www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...theguardian.comFrance finally acts to deliver justice in infamous Dreyfus caseMore than century on, wronged officer is in line for posthumous promotion 000
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 02/06/2025L’Assemblée nationale vote à l’unanimité l’élévation d’Alfred Dreyfus au grade de « général de brigade »lemonde.frL’Assemblée nationale vote à l’unanimité l’élévation d’Alfred Dreyfus au grade de « général de brigade »Condamné à partir de fausses accusations montées sur fond d’antisémitisme, le capitaine avait demandé à voir sa carrière revalorisée dès son innocence reconnue, en 1906, sans obtenir gain de cause. Le... 000
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 29/05/2025Good to hear about the work of the Cross-Party Group on Europe and the European Movement in Scotland at yesterday's European Diversity Month reception at the Scottish Parliament. 000
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 29/05/2025The French government has withdrawn an AI-generated film celebrating the French Resistance after it was pointed out that it featured a German soldier, rather than a French one.liberation.frNazi fêtant la libération de Paris : le gouvernement foire son hommage à la Résistance avec une vidéo générée par IAL’exécutif a publié, mardi 28 mai, une vidéo aberrante générée par intelligence artificielle avant de la supprimer face au tollé. Au-delà des questions éthiques, la vidéo contient de grossières erreur... 001
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 26/05/2025Still so much to be gained from watching Le Chagrin et la pitié all these years later. I've seen it so many times and each time I spot something new. www.theguardian.com/film/2025/ma...theguardian.comMarcel Ophuls, Oscar-winning film-maker of The Sorrow and the Pity, dies aged 97The German-French documentarian, who fled the Nazis twice as a child, spent his career exploring wartime atrocities and conflicts 010
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 16/05/2025This reminded me how some of the archives I looked at on the Allied bombing of France were only declassified in 2020. Would be interesting to know why.bbc.co.uk'Mystery' of Hull Blitz report classified for 100 yearsHull MP Dame Diana Johnson says keeping the document under embargo until 2042 is 000
Reposted by Karine VarleyKarine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 06/05/2025To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the end of the Second World War, next week I'll be speaking about the Allied bombing and liberation of France at the Alliance Française in Glasgow. www.afglasgow.org.uk/community/ev...afglasgow.org.ukConference - The Allied Bombings and France’s LiberationEighty years after France’s Liberation, the Alliance Française de Glasgow invites you to an insightful evening with Dr. Karine Varley, a leading historian from the University of Strathclyde, specialis... 021
Reposted by Karine VarleyRichard Hammond @rjhammond215.bsky.social · 12/05/2025A *handful* (single figures) of the general attendance tickets still remain, so follow the link in the quoted post below to book now, if you want to attend this conference, featuring keynotes addresses from Profs Sheldon Garon and Juliette Pattinson plus papers by speakers from across the globe. 🗃️ 022
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 10/05/2025France Télévisions is streaming the postwar trials of Klaus Barbie, Paul Touvier and Maurice Papon. www.france.tv/collection/c...france.tvCrimes contre l'humanité - Toutes les vidéos en streamingDe 1987 à 1998 la justice française va instruire le procès de trois hommes ayant, chacun à leur niveau, contribués à la mise en place et à la réalisation d’u... 010
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 06/05/2025To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day and the end of the Second World War, next week I'll be speaking about the Allied bombing and liberation of France at the Alliance Française in Glasgow. www.afglasgow.org.uk/community/ev...afglasgow.org.ukConference - The Allied Bombings and France’s LiberationEighty years after France’s Liberation, the Alliance Française de Glasgow invites you to an insightful evening with Dr. Karine Varley, a leading historian from the University of Strathclyde, specialis... 021
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 06/05/2025Very much looking forward to this, but no idea how I'll be able to choose which panels to attend... 110
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 28/04/2025'For hundreds of years, the English and then the British state inflicted extreme violence in pursuit of strategic objectives.' Brendan Simms and David Trim on English and British violence in Europe. www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2025/0...newstatesman.comCruel BritanniaThe brutal 500-year history of English violence in Europe. 110
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 18/04/2025Spotted these tied to lampposts while walking around in Leeds earlier 000
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 08/04/2025Extraordinary image of the Sacré-Coeur against the backdrop of today's fire in Paris. www.france24.com/fr/info-en-c...france24.comParis : l'incendie du centre de tri pas totalement éteint, mais sans émanations toxiquesL'incendie spectaculaire qui a ravagé lundi soir un centre de tri des déchets dans le nord-ouest de Paris n'était pas totalement éteint mardi, mais son intensité est réduite et n'a entraîné, selon les... 034
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 31/03/2025BBC news coverage of Marine Le Pen misses Corsica from the map of France... 200
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 27/03/2025Delighted to learn that my book, Vichy's Double Bind: French Collaboration between Hitler and Mussolini during the Second World War, is now available in paperback. @strathhumanities.bsky.social www.cambridge.org/gb/universit... 0156
Reposted by Karine VarleyThe Society for the History of War @sochistorywar.bsky.social · 27/03/2025SHoW's heading to Potsdam! 📢 Call for Papers – SHoW 2025 🗓 27–28 November 2025 📍University of Potsdam 📝 Abstracts due: 30 June How do societies understand, justify, and remember war and violence? And how do cultures resist, represent, or misrepresent it? All details can be found below! ⬇️ 21716
Karine Varley @karinevarley.bsky.social · 26/03/2025PhD studentships available at Strathclyde in all Humanities subjects, including History and French. Deadline 11 April. www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/...strath.ac.ukDiamond Jubilee Research Scholarships 2025/26 (Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences) | University of Strathclyde 000