American flag Quote by Rick Atkinson
““Linguists holding bullhorns hollered, “A bas les Boches! A bas les Marcon! Down with the Boches! Down with the Macaronis! Vive la France!” A mortar crew with the 18th Infantry fired a special shell the size of an ostrich egg. It soared 200 feet into the night, detonated with dazzling pyrotechnic sparkle, and unfurled an American flag, which floated to earth; given a clear target at last, French gunners replied with eager fire.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Liberation of France, Rick Atkinson, 1995
War propaganda and spectacle can rally troops, but also mask the brutality behind theatrical displays.
In simple terms: Propaganda fuels morale but hides violence.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the gap between spectacle and reality.
Themes
propaganda
war
morale
Mood
critical
historical
Type
military history
analytical
When to use this quote
- battlefield morale boosting
- public speeches
- media coverage
- military ceremonies
Key Concepts
psychological warfare
nationalism
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does symbolism play in wartime morale?
- How does propaganda affect civilian perception?
A Different Perspective
Spectacle may desensitize participants to suffering.
![“It wasn't [Barack] Obama per se; it was the feeling on the ground; it was seeing an old black woman in a wheelchair being wheeled by her son waving a big American flag, and then seeing a guy with his baby in his arms saying, "I didn't want her to miss tonight! I wanted to be able to tell her!" And…” quote by Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/806/bill-ayers-1848_able_it-wasn-t-barack-obama-per-se-it-was-the_20409.jpg)
