Epilogue

Abstract

Despite discord and mutual hostility between the heads of state of France and the United States, French officials worked easily with American officers, who generally proved accommodating to the French, when possible. Some problems defied resolution and had to be managed by these officers and officials to the best of their abilities. The reservoirs of goodwill on both sides made winning the war and restoring normality to France easier for all involved. Relations between GIs and average French citizens, however, did not reveal the same level of accord. Battle-weary and bored GIs too often behaved like bad guests. By VE Day, American soldiers were tired of being in France and wanted to go home; French attitudes mirrored those of the Americans. Levels of indiscipline reached new lows when GIs gathered in France to ship out.