THE FALL OF FRANCE

After the Germans successfully drove the British out of France, they launched a new attack on the French, driving them back to all fronts. Later on, Hitler’s ally, Mussolini of Italy, declared war on France and an Italian army invaded southern France. As the Germans advanced, the French government fled from Paris in confusion and the Prime Minister resigned and was replaced by a retired army general, Marshal Pétain. Marshal Pétain signed an armistice or cease-fire(an agreement to temporary stop the war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions), with the Germans. According to this armistice, the Germans occupied all northern and eastern France. The south was to be governed by Marshal Pétain (based in the town of Vichy). In less than a year, the Germans had conquered six European nations. Only Britain was still at war with Germany. Hitler believed that Britain doesn’t want to fight anymore so he offered to make peace on moderate terms but however, Churchill rejected them and chose to fight on. Hitler therefore ordered an invasion of Britain by the combined air, sea and land forces of Germany. The British prepared to resist invasion. Over a million men joined a volunteer defense force (Home Guard) and are willing to die fighting instead of giving up.