NATO Stay-Behind Organizations
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:18 am
I found the short fact file about the French organization and am posting this in the hope of others turning up. I am going to rewrite the file about the West German Society for Applied Physics myself.
Société pour la Cultivation de la Culture et des Valeurs Franҫaises
“…in summation, the SNCCVF is an epitome of typical French bouregoisity and a hallmark of the rigid classism of the French society. It is of little use save showing the flag at national events, sneering at everything non-French and providing self-important societal climbers with an outlet for their delusions of importance.”
- From a report compiled by the KGB’s First Chief Directorate on the situation and trends in French society, 2001
The SNCCVF was another offspring of the Gladio debacle. The French part of NATO’s stay-behind organization, called Arc-en-Ciel and/or Rose des Vents were, much like in Germany and other mainland European NATO nations, unceremoniously disbanded and clandestinely purged of politically or otherwise unsuitable members.
With a reasoning that is said by some to have been at least partly tongue-in-cheek, the French military and internal intelligence organizations went about creating a cover organization that was from the start intended to be the living stereotype of the arrogant Gaul. Various French cultural societies were encouraged to merge under the blue, white and red banner of the Société which at once started its obnoxiously French public existence. Much care was taken to elevate at least outwardly vacuous and grandstanding individuals into its leadership to present to the public at large the picture of another useless, parochial but essentially harmless organization that touted French values and French culture.
The more nefarious true purpose of the SNCCVF was well hidden and took place in the local chapters of the organization who formed resistance cells, recruited from former military and law enforcement personnel, but also open to suitable members of both sexes from all walks of society who were then subjected to a plethora of training befitting modern guerrilla. The internal legitimation and historical outlook was understandably, perhaps unavoidably, based on the Résistance of World War Two fame. Nevertheless, and perhaps surprisingly especially with regard to West Germany, many SNCCVF cells, especially those located in the départements along France’s borders with her European neighbors began liaising with their counterparts as it was rightly felt that if push came to shove, there would have to be some common ground to fight the invaders from.
Contrary to the public face of the Society, most of its members were anything but French chauvinists and rather attuned to the fact that Europe would have to fight together or hang separately.
As far as can be discerned, the hidden purpose of the SNCCVF could for the most part be kept secret from prying eyes and the head organization was never linked to the new French stay-behind organization.
Société pour la Cultivation de la Culture et des Valeurs Franҫaises
“…in summation, the SNCCVF is an epitome of typical French bouregoisity and a hallmark of the rigid classism of the French society. It is of little use save showing the flag at national events, sneering at everything non-French and providing self-important societal climbers with an outlet for their delusions of importance.”
- From a report compiled by the KGB’s First Chief Directorate on the situation and trends in French society, 2001
The SNCCVF was another offspring of the Gladio debacle. The French part of NATO’s stay-behind organization, called Arc-en-Ciel and/or Rose des Vents were, much like in Germany and other mainland European NATO nations, unceremoniously disbanded and clandestinely purged of politically or otherwise unsuitable members.
With a reasoning that is said by some to have been at least partly tongue-in-cheek, the French military and internal intelligence organizations went about creating a cover organization that was from the start intended to be the living stereotype of the arrogant Gaul. Various French cultural societies were encouraged to merge under the blue, white and red banner of the Société which at once started its obnoxiously French public existence. Much care was taken to elevate at least outwardly vacuous and grandstanding individuals into its leadership to present to the public at large the picture of another useless, parochial but essentially harmless organization that touted French values and French culture.
The more nefarious true purpose of the SNCCVF was well hidden and took place in the local chapters of the organization who formed resistance cells, recruited from former military and law enforcement personnel, but also open to suitable members of both sexes from all walks of society who were then subjected to a plethora of training befitting modern guerrilla. The internal legitimation and historical outlook was understandably, perhaps unavoidably, based on the Résistance of World War Two fame. Nevertheless, and perhaps surprisingly especially with regard to West Germany, many SNCCVF cells, especially those located in the départements along France’s borders with her European neighbors began liaising with their counterparts as it was rightly felt that if push came to shove, there would have to be some common ground to fight the invaders from.
Contrary to the public face of the Society, most of its members were anything but French chauvinists and rather attuned to the fact that Europe would have to fight together or hang separately.
As far as can be discerned, the hidden purpose of the SNCCVF could for the most part be kept secret from prying eyes and the head organization was never linked to the new French stay-behind organization.