While France is caught in political turmoil, a crowd watches children sail boats in a pond near the Eiffel Tower, 1936.
Robert W. Moore, National Geographic Creative / Bridgeman Art Library
While France is caught in political turmoil, a crowd watches children sail boats in a pond near the Eiffel Tower, 1936.
Robert W. Moore, National Geographic Creative / Bridgeman Art Library
Charles de Gaulle (gun over shoulder) shooting rabbits near the Castle of Septfontaines at the place known as “La cote aux sapins,” 1938.
Archives de Gaulle, Paris, France / Giraudon / Bridgeman Art Library
Rare picture shows Anne de Gaulle and her governess, Marguerite Potel. The photo was taken either at the Villa “Les Oliviers” in Algiers, or in England, in 1943.
Archives de Gaulle, Paris, France / Giraudon / Bridgeman Art Library
British troops slog through the mud evacuating Dunkirk in May 1940. Hitler held back his army while awaiting fresh supplies.
U.S. National Archives 242-EB-735
The Armistice of June 22, 1940 divides France into German Occupied Territory and Vichy France (the so-called “Free Zone”). No movement was permitted in or out of coastal areas. After the Anglo-American invasion of North Africa on November 8, 1942, Germany occupied all of France except for the area of Italian occupation.
Sharon Argyle
Adolf Hitler visits a conquered Paris on June 23, 1940.
U.S. National Archives 242-HLB-3-20
A Frenchman weeps as Nazi troops march down a Paris street in June 1940.
U.S. National Archives 208-MF1-5H-1
A French civilian is the victim of German firing squad.
U.S. National Archives 111-SC-196741
Front page of Paris-Soir, August 4, 1940. The newspaper reports that General Charles de Gaulle had been condemned to death by a Vichy military tribunal.
Archives de Gaulle, Paris, France / Bridgeman Art Library
Canadian painter Claire Fauteux lived through the Nazi occupation of Paris and joined Resistance fighters on the barricades when the city was liberated.
McCord Museum, Montreal
Jean Moulin was delegated by Charles de Gaulle to head a united French Resistance movement. His murder by the Gestapo deprived France of an important postwar leader.
Archives Charmet / Bridgeman Art Library
Elisabeth de Miribel, shown in 1945, was secretary to General Charles de Gaulle. She typed de Gaulle’s Appeal of June 18, 1940. She later spent time as a nun before joining the French diplomatic service.
Archives de Gaulle, Paris, France / Giraudon / Bridgeman Art Library