What was Marshal Petain known for?
Henri-Philippe Pétain (1856-1951) was a World War I French general who was later imprisoned for treason. A 58-year-old colonel at the start of battle in 1914, Pétain earned acclaim for stopping the Germans at the Battle of Verdun and assumed command of the French forces in 1917.
What did Marshal Petain do in WW2?
Philippe Pétain, in full Henri-Philippe Benoni Omer Joseph Pétain, (born April 24, 1856, Cauchy-à-la-Tour, France—died July 23, 1951, Île d’Yeu), French general who was a national hero for his victory at the Battle of Verdun in World War I but was discredited as chief of state of the French government at Vichy in World …
What happened in Vichy France during WW2?
On November 10, 1942, German troops occupy Vichy France, which had previously been free of an Axis military presence. Since July 1940, upon being invaded and defeated by Nazi German forces, the autonomous French state had been split into two regions.
When did Petain become chief of state?
In 1939, he was appointed French ambassador to Spain. In May 1940, with France under attack from Germany, Pétain was appointed vice premier. In June he asked for an armistice, upon which he was appointed ‘chief of state’, enjoying almost absolute powers.
Why did Marshal Petain surrender?
A military hero during World War I, Petain was appointed vice premier of France in May 1940 to boost morale in a country crumbling under the force of the Nazi invasion. Instead, Petain arranged an armistice with the Nazis.
Who was Petain in WWII?
Marshal Philippe Pétain
Pétain, who was 84 years old in 1940, ranks as France’s oldest head of state. During World War I, Pétain led the French Army to victory at the nine-month-long Battle of Verdun….Philippe Pétain.
| Marshal Philippe Pétain | |
|---|---|
| Years of service | 1876–1944 |
| Rank | Général de division |
| Battles/wars | World War I Battle of Verdun Rif Wars World War II |
What was the free zone in France during WWII?
zone libre
The zone libre (French pronunciation: [zon libʁ], free zone) was a partition of the French metropolitan territory during World War II, established at the Second Armistice at Compiègne on 22 June 1940.
What happened to Vichy collaborators?
From there, the Nazis took them to Auschwitz. At the close of the war, France punished many Nazi collaborators: 9,000 were summarily executed during the liberation campaign, 1,500 were executed after a trial, and 40,000 were sentenced to prison.
Why did the French surrender so quickly in ww2?
It only took a few weeks for the entire country to fall. The reasons for the sudden defeat of France in 1940 were numerous and varied. They included a failure of leadership, both at the military and the political level. The army of France was not only poorly led but had been equipped with inferior arms and equipment.
Where is Philippe Petain buried?
Cemetery Port Joinville – Ile d’Yeu, Île d’Yeu, France
Philippe Pétain/Place of burial
Why did the French 4th Republic fail?
The trigger for the collapse of the Fourth Republic was the Algiers crisis of 1958. France was still a colonial power, although conflict and revolt had begun the process of decolonization.