Philip Girvan’s Reviews > France on Trial: The Case of Marshal Pétain > Status Update

Pétain’s physician, Ménétrel, keen to protect The Marshal from further staining his reputation, urges Pétain to refrain from cooperating with the new post-Vichy collaborationist pseudo government. Ménétrel, placed under house arrest, is permanently separated from Pétain.

Louis-Ferdinand Céline offers Pétain his services as a physician. Pétain allegedly quips: “I would prefer to die at once”.