FRENCH RESISTANCE
The French Resistance refers to the collective French resistance movements which fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and the collaborationist Vichy regime during World War II.
Marshal Henri-Philippe Petain signed an armistice with Germany on 22nd June.
The agreement divided France into occupied and unoccupied zones.
The Germans would control three-fifths of the country.
The remaining section administered by the French government at Vichy under Petain.
Provisions of the armistice included:
General Charles De Gaulle escaped to England.
A group of scientists and lawyers published a clandestine newspaper calling on the French people to resist German occupation.
Escaped soldiers from the French Army fled to the forests.
Eventually they joined together to form the Maquis.
It began to organize attacks on German forces.
They also helped downed Allied airman.
The Communist Party established the resistance group, Front National.
Three important French resistance leaders, Jean Moulin, Jean-Pierre Lévy and Emmanuel d'Astier, emerged in France.
Other French resistance groups, including, Francs-Tireur and Liberation-sud formed.
General Charles De Gaulle wanted to unite these French resistance groups under his leadership.
Jean Moulin, was sent back to France to unite the various groups.
Jean Moulin persuaded the eight major French resistance groups to form the Conseil National de la Resistance (CNR).
During D-day landings in June, 1944, the Maquis and other resistance rose up to help.
The resistance groups was able to slow down the 2nd SS Panzer Division from getting to the Normandy beaches.
After the war General Dwight D. Eisenhower wrote: "Throughout France the Resistance had been of inestimable value in the campaign.
Without their great assistance the liberation of France would have consumed a much longer time and meant greater losses to ourselves."
The French Army disbanded.
1.5 million French soldiers captured were to remain prisoners of war.
The French Government instructed its citizens not to fight against the Germans.
France had to pay the occupation costs of the German troops.
World War Two
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