Line of demarcation

During the Second world war, the line of demarcation was the limit between the free Zone, under the authority of the Vichy government, and the occupied Zone by the German army. It was fixed by the Armistice of June 22nd, 1940, (see low).

It left the Swiss border while passing by Dole, Châlon-sur-saône, Paray-le-Monial, Moulins, Vierzon, Angouleme, Langon, Mount-with-Marsan, Saint-Jean-Foot-of-Port.

It was possible to legally cross it only by obtaining a " Ausweis " (indentity card) or a " Passier Schein " (Pass) near the authorities of occupation after many formalities.

Following the Unloading combined in North Africa, the German army invades all the territory on November 11th 1942. The line was removed on March 1st 1943. That involved the dissolution of the army of Vichy, the scuttling of the French fleet, in particular with Toulon, then the setting under control of the Vichy government.

References and sources

the Second world war 1939-1945 , of Nov. edict page 74 paragraph " raid and déportation".
E. Alary, the line of demarcation (1940-1944) , Perrin, Paris, 2003.
the Michelin Charts had published post-war period a chart with the exact layout of the line.
In 1940 existed such an edition with the limit of the zone of demarcation to the 4.7.40, in two charts with millionth: 98 and 99.

Article 2 of the armistice

Article 2. - To ensure the interests of German Reich, the French territory located at the north and the west of the line traced on the Ci-annexed chart will be occupied by the German troops. The territories which are not yet with the hands of the German troops will be immediately occupied after the conclusion of this convention.

External sites

See the site way of memory here
See the site of the Center of interpretation of the Line of demarcation of Génelard (the Saone and the Loire).

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