Fédération Français des Éclaireuses Collection (French Federation of Girl Scouts) Manuscript Journals and printed booklets, Possibly Occupied France

[ Marseille ], 1945. Collection of two handwritten books and several printed books associated with the Fédération Français des Éclaireuses (French Federation of Girl Scouts) dated between the years of 1943-1947 and originating in the Marseille area in the South of France. Two handwritten books: 3e Compagnie [Rise] III Section Sainte Victoire, Clan des Liévres Carnet de Chants (Hare Clan Songbook) - Handwritten book of songs containing three "tomes" of French songs (some dated 1945) and one small bundle of music pages with songs written in English. The slip cover is hand-sewn in blue and white striped lightweight cotton stitched with white thread. The inner structure of the book appears to be handmade as well in a patterned fabric. The tomes are attached to the book with blue cotton cord. There is cord forming a tie closure as well. A hidden pocket in the front slip cover contains a small card with a handwritten note reading [translated] "Thank you for your help and your affectionate [illegible], the first testimony of mine [in/since] the year 1947. You are a person in service of others." Carnet de jeux (Book of Games) - Handwritten book of games in graph paper notebook with hand sewn slipcover in the same blue striped cotton fabric as the songbook and cardboard inserts. The notebook is separated into 9 sections with tabs which appear to have been cut out of the pages by the writer/owner of the book. Includes a number of printed scouting related books (inquire for details)Early French Scouting was primarily through religious organizations. Multiple organizations were formed in the early 20th century, including Protestant, Catholic and Jewish groups. These groups have largely remained separate from one another, though several Federations have been formed. During the WWII Nazi Occupation of France, some scouting organizations criticized the occupiers push to adopt fascist policies, including the dissolution of Jewish scouting organizations and to require a national youth movement. Jewish scouting groups were first operated under the larger Federation and later went underground smuggling children into Switzerland. French Scouting leaders believed all youth movements should be voluntary and resisted the Nazi push for "National Teams". In 1943, an emissary from Free France, the French Government in exile in Great Britain, met with French scouting leaders to determine what scouts could bring to the resistance movement. France was liberated by the end of 1944, and in a show of the indomitable spirit of Scouts, 40,000 young people paraded on the Champs-Elysées.