Fall of Paris: June 14, 1940

On June 14, 1940, Paris fell under German occupation during World War II, marking a significant moment in the early stages of the conflict. This event was a culmination of the German military campaign known as the Battle of France, which began on May 10, 1940, and resulted in the rapid defeat of French and Allied forces.

Context Leading to the Occupation

• The Phoney War: Following the declaration of war by France and the United Kingdom against Germany in September 1939, there was a period of relative inactivity on the Western Front known as the “Phoney War.” This lull ended with Germany’s aggressive military campaigns in the spring of 1940.

• Blitzkrieg Tactics: The German military employed a strategy known as Blitzkrieg, or “lightning war,” characterized by fast-moving and coordinated attacks using infantry, tanks, and air support. This approach overwhelmed the French defenses and bypassed the heavily fortified Maginot Line.

• The Fall of Belgium and the Netherlands: Germany’s invasion of Belgium and the Netherlands in May 1940 further destabilized the Allied defense, allowing German forces to penetrate deeper into French territory.

Key Events on June 14, 1940

• German Entry into Paris: On the morning of June 14, German troops entered Paris largely unopposed. The French government had declared Paris an open city to avoid its destruction, meaning that no defensive measures would be taken to protect it from occupation.

• Evacuation of the French Government: Prior to the occupation, the French government, led by Prime Minister Paul Reynaud, evacuated Paris and relocated to Bordeaux. This move signaled the collapse of French resistance in the capital.

• Civilian Impact: The occupation of Paris led to a mass exodus of Parisians, with many fleeing the city in anticipation of the German arrival. Those who remained faced the uncertainty and hardship of living under occupation.

Aftermath and Consequences

• Armistice and Vichy France: On June 22, 1940, France signed an armistice with Germany, leading to the establishment of the Vichy regime, a puppet government that collaborated with the Nazis.

• Symbolic and Strategic Significance: The fall of Paris was both a symbolic and strategic victory for Nazi Germany. It demonstrated the effectiveness of German military tactics and dealt a severe blow to Allied morale.

• Resistance Movements: The occupation of Paris galvanized resistance movements within France, which would play a crucial role in the eventual liberation of the country.

• Impact on World War II: The fall of Paris and the subsequent occupation of France shifted the balance of power in Europe, prompting the United Kingdom to stand alone against Nazi Germany until the entry of the United States into the war in 1941.

The occupation of Paris remained in effect until the city was liberated by Allied forces on August 25, 1944, marking a turning point in the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control.