Reincarnated: Vive La France
Chapter 226: “France must endure beyond any man. My name will not weaken it.”

Chapter 226: “France must endure beyond any man. My name will not weaken it.”

The following morning word had spread after last night’s adjournment.

Today, Philippe Pétain would face the final hour of his trial.

The crowds outside spoke in low voices.

The press clamored for every syllable from inside.

At 8:57 a.m., the usher tapped his staff three times; the judges reentered.

Presiding Judge Barbier tapped the gavel sharply. "We reconvene. Under Articles 12–18 of the Emergency Judicial Order and the Military Code of Procedure, we proceed with the remainder of evidence and final statements."

His gaze settled on Pétain. "General, you stand accused of influencing delays that impaired our nation’s defensive readiness. You will now face cross-examination on newly received documents."

Auriol rose, stepping to the lectern. "Your Honor, we present internal Ministry of War correspondence dated September 1936, revealing Pétain’s signature below a directive postponing routine garrison exercises in Strasbourg and Metz." He handed the papers to the clerk.

Barbier waited until the documents were marked and entered into evidence as Exhibit G.

Auriol called the first witness.

Captain Marcel, an aide-de-camp assigned to the Ministry in 1936, approached the stand.

He took the oath and began, "During summer 1936, reports reached us that some frontier regiments had not conducted scheduled drills. I located a memorandum dated August 20, 1936, marked ’approved/pending cabinet counsel’ in Pétain’s handwriting."

As he spoke, Lavalergne stiffened beside his client. Marcel recited the memo’s contents.

"Marché effectué seulement après accord politique. — Pétain."

Barbier placed the transcript before him.

The courtroom quieted, aware of its significance.

Auriol asked, "In your capacity, did you ever witness Pétain revoking or expediting such exercises?"

Marcel shook his head. "He did not. I never observed a reversal of that decision."

Judge Claudel tapped his finger. "Captain Marcel, under the military code, discretion at your level is not relevant. The tribunal focuses on direction from above."

The atmosphere tightened.

Auriol pressed, "Would you consider this delay negligent or strategic caution?"

Marcel hesitated, then said, "In retrospect, it was harmful to readiness. Whether intended or not remains unclear but the net effect was detrimental."

Auriol nodded. "No further questions."

Barbier addressed Lavalergne. "Defense counsel, your cross-examination."

Lavalergne rose deliberately. "Captain, was this memo reviewed by the Minister, or was it a general staff recommendation?"

Marcel considered. "It passed through layers Ministry clerk, Deputy, Minister’s office. It remained unaltered and was stamped ’approved.’"

"Yet, Captain, no drill orders were canceled outright. You were later reassigned to Algeria, correct?"

"Yes."

"So this was a common administrative pause, not a unique override?" Lavalergne returned to his seat.

"No further questions."

Barbier turned back to the bench. "Next witness."

Auriol rose again. "We call Colonel Luc Deschamps, record keeper of wartime communications."

He took the oath and produced telegrams.

"These were intercepted messages between the Ministry and frontier units," he said. "Here, dated October 4, 1936, the commander of Strasbourg regiment complains. ’We lack rifle resupply. Officers report influence from Ministry. Pétain’s office cited.’"

Deschamps confirmed the papers were official archives.

Judge Levasseur observed, "Clearly, there was widespread impact. Colonel, do these communications suggest deliberate delay?"

Deschamps looked pensive. "They suggest obstruction, though motivation is unclear."

Lavergne objected. "Speculation."

But Barbier overruled.

Auriol collected the documents for the record. "No further questions."

Now it was Pétain’s final turn to speak.

Final attempt to save his legacy and dignity.

"Gentlemen, I am an old soldier," he began quietly. "I advised delays not to harm France but to protect its institutions from hasty politicization. I believed prudent counsel would preserve, not weaken, our Army."

He paused, meeting the eyes of the judges. "Yet I acknowledge I misjudged. My caution overshadowed urgency. For that, I am regretful."

Auriol prepared his final attempt. "General, are you suggesting that this Tribunal must penalize intent or outcome? You failed to ask what wasn’t asked of you: where was readiness when France needed it."

Pétain’s shoulders trembled. "I ask not for sympathy, only understanding."

Barbier signaled Pallid. "General Pétain, you will remain seated. The court will now adjourn for deliberation."

At 11:45, the judges departed into chambers.

Journalists rustled their notes, the gallery buzzed in low talks.

Outside, crowds had grown.

When the judges returned two hours later, they moved straight to the dais.

Barbier cleared his throat.

"Our decision regarding General Philippe Pétain" he began. "The Tribunal finds no evidence of criminal intent, no personal gain, no willful insubordination, and no evidence of treason. He is hereby acquitted of charges according to Articles 12 and 13 of the Emergency Judicial Order."

He paused. "However, this Tribunal cannot ignore the effects of his decisions. By inserting delays into logistic orders and presiding over stalling memos, he influenced policy causing lapses in readiness contrary to the Republic’s stability."

"In accord with Article 17, while he bears no guilt, this court finds him unfit to resume public office, public advisory roles, or positions affecting national defense."

Murmurs erupted.

Auriol maintained a rigid posture.

Pétain remained still, eyes down.

Barbier closed. "General Pétain, your service to France is acknowledged. Our laws demand accountability, not punishment without cause. You are free to rise."

Pétain stood, slow and steady.

He bowed his head.

When he spoke, his voice held a resolve. "France must endure beyond any man. My name will not weaken it."

He exited under guard.

In the hallway, Lavalergne approached Auriol with respect. "You crafted a verdict that spares dignity and enforces consequence."

Auriol replied softly, "The Republic must balance mercy and vigilance."

Elsewhere, Barbier watched from his bench.

Judge Levasseur hovered nearby.

"He was spared," he said quietly.

Barbier sighed. "Not spared to be sidelined. France needs its symbols, but not at the cost of weakness."

Beauchamp and Delon entered, having watched from the gallery.

They nodded to Barbier.

"We have our verdict," Beauchamp said.

Delon turned to Moreau, who had observed the entire session from a side gallery. "Your strategy stands," he said quietly.

Moreau rested his hand on Delon’s sleeve. "Justice tempered fortune. That is how we will lead."

In the courtyard, journalists scribbled final headlines

"Pétain Acquitted: Legacy Tarnished."

Outside, the crowds dispersed.

It was a strategic move to judge the old general first.

In order to reduce his prestige and have better control over the troops.

But it was not over.

More names were to be discussed and the next was.

Léon Blum