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Kimberly Corser
Pre AP 8-1
3/26/10
French Resistance
Slowly but surely small groups of French citizens, during the French occupation

of 1940-1944, began fighting back against the Germans (Lawson 23). Although the first

actions were minor, they became essential in the overall outcome of the war (“The

French Resistance” N.P.). The first recorded instance of a rebellion was when the

students at the Arc de Triomphe disrespected the German teachers (“French

Resistance” N.P.). Because of France’s resistance movement, the Germans were

greatly deterred, while the Allies continued to attack.

The people of France prepared for the expected invasion. While doing

this they had to maintain normal lives. Daily, the reality of the Nazis became greater;

therefore the Jews were in great danger. Thankfully a form of an underground hiding

system was created to protect the Jews (Lawson 22-23). One of the main fortifications

of France was a line of concrete structures, tank obstacles, artillery casemates,

machine gun posts, and other defenses, known as the Maginot Line. Germany believed

that their reason to be angry at France resulted from the forcing of Germany to sign a

humiliating treaty stating that they caused World War I, and having to pay large sums of

money (Lawson 44). Although the French leaders thought that the Maginot line would

keep France safe from invasion, Nazi armies occupied France with little difficulty (“The

French Resistance” N.P.).

When the Germans defeated the Maginot line, they proceeded to occupy the
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country. France surrendered on May 10, 1940, leaving a shocked country under new

leadership (“French Resistance” N.P.). After he escaped to England, Charles de Gaulle

made speeches to the people of France, encouraging them to continue fighting (“The

French Resistance” N.P.). By June 1941, enough people had joined the resistance

movement, enabling them to organize their activities (“The French Resistance” N.P.).

Members of the resistance movement took orders from the Special Operations

Executive (“The French Resistance” N.P.). Britain supplied France with weapons and

other necessities to carry out their plans, while in turn the French supplied Britain with

intelligence of the Nazi movements (“French Resistance” N.P.). As part of the

occupation of France, the Nazis created a separate Vichy government in the south of

France.

Led by Philippe Petain, the Vichy government consisted of French communists

and others loyal to Germany. Although it was run by the French, they collaborated with

the Germans (“The French Resistance” N.P.). While in power, Petain used direct

negotiations with Hitler (“French Resistance” N.P.). After Operation Barbarossa, the

support for the Vichy lessened, because Germany attacked Russia. Also the horrible

treatment of the Jews made many Vichy members switch to resistance groups (“The

French Resistance” N.P.). In the parts of France directly controlled by Germany, the

resistance faced many different obstacles.

On June 22, 1940, Petain signed the Armistice treaty with Hitler (“French

Resistance” N.P.). It established several changes in the way France was governed.

This treaty created the demarcation line between North and South France. The
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Germans gained control of three fifths of France, while the Vichy governed the

remaining two fifths. Also all Jews had to surrender, and 1.5 million French soldiers

were captured. Fortunately some managed to escape, joining the resistance. Although

he was still in England, Charles de Gaulle united eight resistance groups, calling them

the Conseil National de la Résistance (CNR) or the National Council of the Resistance

(“French Resistance” N.P.). Relationships with Britain were vital because they supplied

the resistance with equipment and trained agents. An example of the close relationship

that was necessary between British and the CNR was Operation Bruneval. At the

Operation many British lives would have been lost if the CNR hadn’t radioed them with

important intelligence information (“The French Resistance” N.P.). Although the North

of France had strong resistance members, the south also had dedicated fighters.

Because of the dense forests throughout South France, people in the

resistance were able to effectively hide from the German soldiers (“The French

Resistance” N.P.). Eventually small groups were formed based on religion and politics.

The groups joined together to form the Maquis. As the Maquis grew in strength, it

began to organize attacks on the German forces. Their main jobs were to disrupt

German battle plans and to help allied airmen who were bombing German camps

(“French Resistance” N.P.). Without the French resistance movement, the

Allies would not have been able to fight as effectively as they did. Although first acts of

sabotage were small, they all contributed to the ultimate defeat of Nazi Germany

(Lawson 16-17)! Approximately one hundred thousand people made up the resistance
movements. In 1944 alone approximately three thousand reports of intelligence to the

Allies were made (“French

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Resistance” N.P.). The love of a country by the Resistance and their willingness to die

for it will be remembered forever.