Poirier admitted that it was difficult to concentrate Malraux’s attention on practical military problems. The SOE officer would urge: ‘André, we must discuss the blowing of that bridge.’ But Malraux would say: ‘No, tonight I think I would prefer to hear Casimir play the piano.’

Max Hastings, Das Reich: The March of the 2nd SS Panzer Division Through France, June 1944 (1981)