In 1944, the small Normandy town of Coutances is severely damaged by the Allied bombings.

View of the destruction caused in the City of Dresden following the Allied bombings at the end of the Second World War.

‘Vivid portrayal of the many and diverse operations (conferences) undertaken to rescue a ‘Europe' in grave mortal danger — "… no, really, be reasonable — we would have to pay much too high a price for that lifebelt over there! (Only to be used after establishment of a customs, economic and monetary entity — altruism) — In the meantime, take a look at all the wonderful plans that we're putting in place for your rescue — and just hang on in there, Europe!"' In April 1950, the German satirical magazine Der Tintenfisch portrays the growing number of projects designed to come to the rescue of a Europe in the throes of integration.

Dans ses Mémoires, Jean Monnet rappelle la manière dont ont été averties les autorités politiques françaises du projet de Communauté européenne du charbon et de l'acier (CECA).