A chronology of World War II.

1940.06.22: The date of the armistice.

After the armistice a fascist government under Pétain was created and France was divided. The headquarters of this government, located in the town of Vichy, participated with the Nazis in the persecution of the Jews. In November 1942 the Germans and Italians invaded the Vichy zone.

The Foreign Legion participated in various battles during the war.

Various resistance movements were formed and they were particularly active in the Limousin where the Herz family was hiding. In particular on August 21, 1944 Limoges was liberated by the Resistance.

While most of France was liberated by the end of 1944 fighting continued in the northeast.