Come What May 2016

As the German Army’s unrelenting advance through the Ardennes region of Belgium and France commenced on May 10, 1940, a palpable wave of fear swept through the small village of Lebucquière. The residents faced a heart-wrenching choice: to abandon their cherished homes and flee toward the coast or risk being ensnared in the chaotic crossfire. Amidst this turmoil, Paul, the village mayor, rose to the occasion, striving to maintain a semblance of order and uphold the republican spirit while his community embarked on a perilous journey. His wife, Mado, found her escape in the soothing embrace of her music, which served as a source of comfort and nostalgia, reminiscent of the days when their café bustled with friends gathered together in joy.

As they traversed this nomadic existence, Suzanne, a resourceful young teacher, emerged as an invaluable guide, skillfully navigating the least congested routes to safety. Her empathy extended particularly to Max, a young German boy who had tragically lost his father, Hans, a staunch anti-Nazi dissident who had been captured by French authorities shortly after the onset of war.

In a parallel narrative amid the fierce Battle of Arras, many prisoners found themselves abandoned in the deserted city after their release from confinement. In this climate of chaos, Hans managed to escape captivity and crossed paths with Percy, a Scottish officer whose entire unit had fallen victim to German gunfire. This unlikely partnership emerged from sheer desperation: while Hans yearned to reunite with his son, who had fled Lebucquière in search of some semblance of safety, Percy was determined to find a way back to England by securing a boat.

Together, these two refugees embarked on a treacherous odyssey, as they clung to the faint hope of reuniting with their families amidst the brewing storm of war, their fates and the outcome of the conflict hanging perilously in the balance.