France in the War:
Pre - War:
Following the German defeat in the First World War, France sought to impose harsh peace conditions on Germany. (Recall the Treaty of Versailles.) Many of these conditions were considered too demanding, even by Britain and America. Nonetheless, France insisted on these conditions, and began building a new defensive line along the French border with Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. This was the Maginot Line. At the time, it was the most expensive and extensive defensive line in the world. Soon after Hitler's rise to power, Germany began to slowly rearm, disregarding the limitations placed on its military. However, France was not able to effectively respond to this threat; its government was in turmoil due to the Great Depression. Thus Germany managed to rearm and began annexing territory, notably Austria and Czechoslovakia. Later France formed an alliance with Poland which guaranteed French support for Poland should the latter be invaded by Germany. Phoney War: On September 3rd, France declared war on Germany following the latter's invasion of Poland. However, the French were loath to provide the Polish with military support. Under political pressure, the French launched the Saar Offensive into Germany. Although the French decisively outnumbered the Germans on the Western Front in terms of manpower and equipment, the offensive stopped short of reaching the German Siegfried Line. Soon French forces withdrew back into their Maginot Line, leaving Poland to fend for itself against Germany and the Soviet Union. Without French and British support, Poland fell in October. The relative lack of combat along the Western Front earned it the name of "Phoney War". Battle of France: After the fall of Poland, the French and British expected the Germans to use the Schlieffen Plan again. Therefore the British and French decided to dedicated significant forces to defend Belgium. The German invasion of France began on May 10th, 1940. A diversionary attack on Belgium by Army Group B followed by a major thrust through the Ardennes Forest by Army Group C cut off the Allies in Belgium from the rest of France. The French forces in Belgium were almost completely destroyed, while the Germans broke through the Maginot line and outflanked the French defenders. Paris fell on June 14th, and France surrendered on June 22nd. Most of France was then occupied by Germany. A portion of southern France, known as Vichy France, was allowed to remain governed by French officials. At first, Vichy France was a collaborator state, but after 1942 it resembled more of a puppet state. French forces not under Vichy or German control were referred as the Free French Forces. |
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Continued Resistance:
After the fall of France in 1940, Charles de Gaulle formed the Free French Forces, which were headquartered in London. The objective of the Free French Forces was to continue the French war effort and resist the Axis in Africa and later in Europe. Other forces such as the French Army of Africa and local French resistance which continued fighting after the French surrender are not strictly defined as Free French Forces. The Free French Forces and its allies were most noted for their participation in the North Africa Campaign. The Free French Forces, the French Army of Africa, and some former Vichy forces merged in 1943, forming the French Army of Liberation.
After the fall of France in 1940, Charles de Gaulle formed the Free French Forces, which were headquartered in London. The objective of the Free French Forces was to continue the French war effort and resist the Axis in Africa and later in Europe. Other forces such as the French Army of Africa and local French resistance which continued fighting after the French surrender are not strictly defined as Free French Forces. The Free French Forces and its allies were most noted for their participation in the North Africa Campaign. The Free French Forces, the French Army of Africa, and some former Vichy forces merged in 1943, forming the French Army of Liberation.
Liberation of Europe:
In 1943, the French Army of Liberation participated in the Italian Campaign. In addition, local French resistance provided the Allies with valuable intelligence and harassed German logistics. By mid - 1944, the French forces outside of France numbered roughly 400, 000, many of which participated in the Normandy Landings and the subsequent liberation of France. Note that French forces were the first to enter Paris. After the liberation of France, the French forces swelled in number, largely due to high rates of recruitment among the French populace. By the end of the war, the French army numbered about one and a quarter million men. France also received an occupation zone in Germany.
In 1943, the French Army of Liberation participated in the Italian Campaign. In addition, local French resistance provided the Allies with valuable intelligence and harassed German logistics. By mid - 1944, the French forces outside of France numbered roughly 400, 000, many of which participated in the Normandy Landings and the subsequent liberation of France. Note that French forces were the first to enter Paris. After the liberation of France, the French forces swelled in number, largely due to high rates of recruitment among the French populace. By the end of the war, the French army numbered about one and a quarter million men. France also received an occupation zone in Germany.