Germany Occupies the Unoccupied Zone of France

After the Allied landings in North Africa, German troops extend the occupation into southern France.

Until then, the Vichy regime had formally administered part of France without direct German occupation. The changing situation in the Mediterranean prompted Berlin to act quickly.

German and Italian units occupied the previously unoccupied zone. The French fleet at Toulon was later scuttled by its crews to prevent its capture.

These events finally demonstrated the limits of Vichy sovereignty and intensified the struggle of the French Resistance.

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