What Happened to the French Military When Germany Occupied It During World War II?
During World War II, the French military faced a complex and tumultuous period, marked by occupation, division, and varying degrees of collaboration. The German occupation of France led to significant changes in the French armed forces, influencing their roles and motivations deeply.
The Loyal and Resistance French Forces
Many French soldiers remained loyal to the Allied cause. These determined men, alongside future President Charles de Gaulle, joined him in exile. From there, they continued to fight for the liberation of France. Others returned to the country with the Free French Forces to support the resistance movements.
The Vichy Regime and French Volunteers
The southern part of France, known as Vichy France, was left unoccupied by the Germans from 1940 to 1942. However, this region was under the control of the Vichy government, which was pro-Nazi and had its own military. Despite this, the French military in Vichy France did not uniformly support the German cause. While some French men did join the German army, forming units such as the French Volunteers, others continued to fight in the French Resistance.
Top Ranks and Their Choices
The decisions made by high-ranking French military officers during World War II were significant and far-reaching. Some officers chose to join forces with the British, while the majority aligned with the Germans. The French naval officers initially attempted to maintain neutrality by holding each other in check through threats. However, this strategy ultimately failed when the British admiralty sank the French fleet to prevent it from being seized by the Germans, thus ensuring the ultimate loss of French naval assets.
No Choice for the Soldiers
Contrary to popular belief, the majority of French soldiers did not have a choice in whether they fought for the Germans or the Allies. High-ranking officers often directly ordered their men to fight on whichever side they deemed necessary. Remarkably, French soldiers generally obeyed these orders, even when fighting against other French soldiers.
Collaboration and Controversies
French collaboration with Nazi entities like the SS and the French Militia was particularly controversial. The French volunteers who joined the German army, such as those fighting on the Eastern Front, and the local units like the French Militia, fought against the resistance and collaborated with their German occupiers. This collaboration often involved terrorizing civilians and burning French villages, leading to significant human suffering and destruction.
Post-Capture Treatment and Forced Reassignment
Even more shocking were the treatment and reassignment of French soldiers captured in North Africa. Rather than being treated as prisoners of war, these soldiers were subjected to mere "retraining" before being ordered to fight against the British under the command of "free French" officers. The ultimate fate of those who fought with the Germans was to become prisoners of war, while lower-ranking soldiers were forced to switch sides and continue obeying their assigned officers.
During the occupation and the period of Vichy France, the choices made by French soldiers and their high-ranking officers led to significant complexities and moral dilemmas. The legacy of this period continues to be studied and examined, raising questions about loyalty, duty, and the perse my choices in times of political and military conflict.