At the dawn of November 8, 1942, the Casablanca population is awakened by the roar of the sirens of the city, followed by a violent cannonade. The war, in its most brutal reality and its most cruel dimension, then arrives at the gates of Casablanca. The US Navy bombing, in fact, the French navy, moored in the harbor, which has received the order from the Vichy government to resist the American landing in Morocco. The shelling is intense, sometimes bombs miss their target and explode in neighborhoods around the port (including the old medina) and even beyond, making the first civilian victims of Operation Torch. During the three days that last battle of Casablanca, civilians, distressed by the turn of events, indeed lurk in their homes. The city loses its legendary agitation and feverish atmosphere. Casablanca however, avoids the worst, since the massive bombardment of the city, scheduled on November 11 by the Americans, was finally canceled after the announcement of the cease-fire ordered by the Resident General. Casablanca's population still has dozens of dead and wounded. A few weeks later, on the night of December 30 to 31, 1942, another bomb hit the city. It is this time a German air raid, led by eighteen aircraft from Toulouse, which aims at the port infrastructures, where fuel and American material accumulate. Hampered by US air defenses, the devices actually launch their bombs indiscriminately, affecting residential areas. And four bombs fall on the new medina, making 110 victims. This air raid on Casablanca is the only lead the Germans during the war. It is true that it costs them a lot for poor results, since during the return they lose 2/3 of their bombers, largely because of a lack of fuel!
Americanization of CASABLANCA
After the American landing, population observes impressed, deployment force of the US Army in the various ports of the Kingdom, and against which the French power pales! A young French soldier Raymond Lescastreyres wrote at the time: "We are in awe of their equipment (...) what surprises us most is the sophistication of the equipment they are fitted. In comparison, ours is light years behind. »
For many months, then Casablanca offers an amazing face: tens of thousands of tons of material is temporarily stored in the city, before being transferred to the front of Tunisia (November 1942-May 1943) and to military camps where are equipped with new French units under Anfa agreements. Casablanca is transformed into real military warehouse in heaven opened its docks, just outside the harbor and even on its vast square Administrative (present Place Mohammed V), which hosts an assembly line for war vehicles!
The streets of coastal towns teeming with American uniforms. In cafés, in cinemas, in every public place, impossible not to notice these GI's colorful. And some fun sometimes down the streets of Casablanca ... A horse and gallop! Many people, young and adults, who discover or rediscover the chewing gum, chocolate bars, Coca Cola, American cigarettes. Small shops specialize in products inventory of the US military. Abraham Serfaty specify "the US presence in Morocco also brought me access to the vast literature of this country. In the stands, I was at rock bottom prices paperbacks sold by US soldiers and discovered and Hemingway, Steinbeck and many others. "
Meanwhile, new cultural ideals are spreading, as Americanization, which is reflected in the lifestyles and architecture of bourgeois dwelling. This is also the time when Hollywood is interested in Casablanca and made a film of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman!
The American influence in Morocco so inspired songwriter Lhoussine Slaoui, which composes a popular tune "Beautiful guy with blue eyes," whose lyrics are very significant, "Oh! Oh! How times have changed! The Americans came, people have become more assertive and women themselves comfortable (...) Even the old put veils and chew gum. The wives took pretext to leave their homes. The beautiful blue-eyed guy arrived with lots of gifts (...) They distribute candy, cigars and even dollars (...) Even the little girls learned the American. You hear nothing but OK, OK, Come On, Bye Bye! »
QUESTION OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF MOROCCO
The new global context resulting from the war fosters demand for independence within the Moroccan society and especially nationalists, hitherto subdued in claiming that no reforms within the Protectorate since the mid-1930s. Indeed, the defeat of France in 1940 and the divisions between French after this event shook the myth of the invulnerability of the occupying power. The American landing in Morocco made it even more sensitive weakening of France. To this are added the public echoes the interview Anfa start of 1943 between the Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Youssef and US President Roosevelt and the leakage of these interviews, suggesting that many things are going become possible that were not before ...Relying, inter alia, the loyal attitude of the Sultan and the sacrifices of his people to support the war in France, Moroccan nationalist parties end up rejecting the principle of the reforms in the Protectorate and claim the Morocco's independence. The Manifesto of the nationalist Istiqlal Party, published on 11 January 1944, and says the principle of recognition of independence as a precondition for any agreement with France. Its success is such that it concerned the administration of the Protectorate. It is not yet ready to hear these claims and awkwardly responds with repression: demonstrations dispersed by force, arrests and convictions of the signatories. Street roars of loud noise will continue therefore to amplify ... Encouraged by this, by external factors, at the end of the war, such as the United Nations Charter, which proclaims the right of peoples to self-determination and the establishment of the Arab League in Egypt, which encourages the movement of emancipation of the Arab peoples. Therefore, the question of the independence of Morocco will gradually permeate the lives of all the inhabitants of the country.
THE END OF THE WAR
For now, the Allied victory on May 8, 1945, is seen as a relief for the whole population in Morocco: Although dietary restrictions remain, the anguish of bereavement in thousands of Moroccan and French families finally disappears . In the days and weeks that follow, French and Moroccans reserve a triumphant welcome to the soldiers of the Army of Africa, parents, children or friends, Moroccan and French brothers in arms, who fought side by side for the liberation of Europe. Fleeting moments of sincere communion between two people, who are generally united remained in the race, beyond the continuing tensions. On 15 May 1945, at a reception given by the Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Youssef, General Resident, Puaux makes a fitting tribute "to the Moroccan people who, animated by his endurance and discipline skills, was able to meet the call is its sovereign (...) to help the Allies of its resources and the value of his children. "The Second World War has resulted in a surge of the Moroccan people gave support to the cause of France and the Allies, whose daily was strongly marked. Elan full of hope back to ...
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