One day in Spring is a twenty-six minute documentary, produced in 2006 by students from the University of Salford. It was filmed on location in the Lot - directed by Cécilia Rocha and produced by Saskia Evans. Their moving film presents first-hand testimony from those in and around Latronquière who witnessed and suffered the operations of Germany’s SS Panzer division known as 'Das Reich'.

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Latronquière is about 90km northeast of Cahors. Following France's invasion by Nazi Germany, the Lot was within the southern part of France administered by the collaborationist Vichy regime, but German forces had subsequently moved into the previously 'unoccupied zone'.

The film's title refers to one day in May 1944 - the 11th - that was to irrevocably change the lives of men, women and children living in that small corner of rural southwest France.

An atmosphere of tense expectation and dread had suddenly swept through its villages and small country towns. Das Reich troops had arrived, literally on their doorsteps, ready to use brutal and deadly force to deter local people from any thoughts or acts of resistance.      

Fearing arrest or deportation, many men had already sought the protection of forests and hills. More would follow, ready and willing to resist by waging a 'war in the shadows'. Without uniforms and anonymous, the Maquis would respond to the German occupation with clandestine actions including sabotage.

Unbeknownst to those in France, the hoped-for Allied invasion was less than four weeks away - but the German forces occupying this part of France wouldn't leave until two months after D-Day. In the meantime, Das Reich would be responsible for the unimaginable suffering and deaths of many hundreds of French civilians.

Those vicious acts would assure Das Reich's notoriety within Second World War history, and yet - to this day - what took place in and around Latronquière in May 1944 remains less well-known.

The eyewitness accounts featured in One day in Spring provide a powerful insight into the experiences of the young people of that time and place. Their testimony also serves as a timely reminder of how an invasion and occupation can bring about resistance, while changing lives and communities forever.*

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One day in Spring is in French with English subtitles. Admission will be FREE and the screening will be followed by a discussion, with the participation of local historian Nicolas Rose, and Christian Gasquet, a resident of Gorses.