presented his demands to the French delegates yesterday.
The armistice was signed today in the same old railroad dining coach of the Wagons
Lits company where yesterday Herr Hitler received the French delegates and where
twenty- two years ago Marshal Ferdinand Foch received the Germans on a similar
mission.
General Charles Huntziger, the Alsatian-born, German-speaking chief of the French
plenipotentiaries, signed the armistice for France--at the orders, he said, of his
government. Col. Gen. Wilhelm Keitel, acting for Chancellor Hitler, signed for Germany.
Yesterday the clearing in the pleasant Compiègne forest where the emissaries met was
flooded with sunshine. Today the sky grew overcast as the afternoon wore on and it
was gloomy in the woods by the time the hour of signature arrived.
Huntziger Enters Protest
Before he affixed his name to Herr Hitler's terms General Huntziger, speaking slowly in
a voice husky with emotion, entered a brief protest. A transcription of his words and of
the proceedings at the moment of signature was broadcast to the German people over
the official radio tonight. General Huntziger said:
"Before I sign this armistice at the order of the French Government I would like to
make a personal statement.
"Forced by the fate of arms to give up the fight in which she engaged with both her
Allies, France is forced to accept conditions whose severity must be emphasized.
"France experts in the future negotiations that Germany will be imbued with a spirit that
will enable both great nations to live at peace in the future.
"I appeal to the soldiers' spirit in the hope that the French will never have cause to
regret the step we are now taking."
General Keitel, speaking slowly in a deep voice, replied:
"I acknowledge your declaration that you are signing the armistice at the order of your
Government. In answer to the General's personal statement, I can only reply that it is
honorable for the victor to honor the vanquished."
Terms Still Withheld
It was announced that no details of the armistice terms would be made public, at least
The armistice was signed today in the same old railroad dining coach of the Wagons
Lits company where yesterday Herr Hitler received the French delegates and where
twenty- two years ago Marshal Ferdinand Foch received the Germans on a similar
mission.
General Charles Huntziger, the Alsatian-born, German-speaking chief of the French
plenipotentiaries, signed the armistice for France--at the orders, he said, of his
government. Col. Gen. Wilhelm Keitel, acting for Chancellor Hitler, signed for Germany.
Yesterday the clearing in the pleasant Compiègne forest where the emissaries met was
flooded with sunshine. Today the sky grew overcast as the afternoon wore on and it
was gloomy in the woods by the time the hour of signature arrived.
Huntziger Enters Protest
Before he affixed his name to Herr Hitler's terms General Huntziger, speaking slowly in
a voice husky with emotion, entered a brief protest. A transcription of his words and of
the proceedings at the moment of signature was broadcast to the German people over
the official radio tonight. General Huntziger said:
"Before I sign this armistice at the order of the French Government I would like to
make a personal statement.
"Forced by the fate of arms to give up the fight in which she engaged with both her
Allies, France is forced to accept conditions whose severity must be emphasized.
"France experts in the future negotiations that Germany will be imbued with a spirit that
will enable both great nations to live at peace in the future.
"I appeal to the soldiers' spirit in the hope that the French will never have cause to
regret the step we are now taking."
General Keitel, speaking slowly in a deep voice, replied:
"I acknowledge your declaration that you are signing the armistice at the order of your
Government. In answer to the General's personal statement, I can only reply that it is
honorable for the victor to honor the vanquished."
Terms Still Withheld
It was announced that no details of the armistice terms would be made public, at least
(High Command of the Armed Forces) Chief, General Wilhelm Keitel. Then negotiations
lasted one day, until the evening of 22 June 1940 : General Huntzinger had to discuss
the terms by phone with the French Government representatives which had fled to
Bordeaux, mainly with the newly nominated Defence minister, General Maxime
Weygand.
The French delegation – led by General Charles Huntziger – tried to soften the harsher
terms of the armistice, but Keitel replied that they would have to accept or reject the
armistice as it was. Given the military situation that France was in, Huntziger had "no
choice" but to accede to the armistice terms. The cease-fire went into effect at 00:35
on 25 June 1940, more that two days later, only after another armistice was signed
between France and Italy, the main German ally in Europe.
Destruction of the Armistice Site
The Armistice site was demolished by the Germans on Hitler's orders three days later.
The carriage itself was taken to Berlin as a trophy of war, along with pieces of a large
stone tablet which bore the inscription (in French):
lasted one day, until the evening of 22 June 1940 : General Huntzinger had to discuss
the terms by phone with the French Government representatives which had fled to
Bordeaux, mainly with the newly nominated Defence minister, General Maxime
Weygand.
The French delegation – led by General Charles Huntziger – tried to soften the harsher
terms of the armistice, but Keitel replied that they would have to accept or reject the
armistice as it was. Given the military situation that France was in, Huntziger had "no
choice" but to accede to the armistice terms. The cease-fire went into effect at 00:35
on 25 June 1940, more that two days later, only after another armistice was signed
between France and Italy, the main German ally in Europe.
Destruction of the Armistice Site
The Armistice site was demolished by the Germans on Hitler's orders three days later.
The carriage itself was taken to Berlin as a trophy of war, along with pieces of a large
stone tablet which bore the inscription (in French):
ordering his air squadrons across the Channel.
The German press today is wholly occupied in stressing the historic significance of the
new armistice of Compiègne.
"Compiègne was not selected as the scene of the present armistice merely as
retaliation," says the Hamburger Fremdenblatt, "but because it is now the business of
Europe to liquidate the running war that England and France have been waging against
the Reich and the German people since 1914. Our aim is to achieve a genuine and
lasting peace, and for this purpose it demanded a symbolic act to wipe out everything
that might have kept the German and French people apart unless the spirit of
Compiègne of 1918 is to be perpetuated."
A similar sentiment finds expression in the Voelkis Beobachter, which says:
"It required the forest of Compiègne to make reparation for one of the infamies of
history. The very moment that the French delegation leaves Compiègne, we and with us
all Germany will realize that one of the blackest days that ever befell the German people
will have been deleted from the pages of history. Among other things, not only
Germany but all of Europe emerges a victor from Compiègne."
Reference to a "peace of reparation," which was one of the three armistice demands
specified in the preamble read to the French delegation at Compiègne yesterday, must
also be interpreted as applying to Germany's demands for restitution for injustices done
at Versailles. Though its phraseology is somewhat obscure, its importance is made clear
in today's press comments, which leave no doubt that redress for wrongs inflicted on
Germany will come up for review and revision in the coming settlement.
Reparations for those wrongs fall on the shoulders of France and Britain jointly, the
press observes, although France, for the time being, must carry the burden alone.
There is only one remaining foe to world peace after the armistice with France, says
the Fremdenblatt, and that is "the naked and brutal power politics of Britain." "Of this
the peace-loving nations of the world are fully aware," the paper adds.
French Fly to Italy
Berlin, June 22 (UP)--France signed Chancellor Hitler's terms of armistice tonight at 6:
50 o'clock [12:50 P.M. New York time] in the Forest of Compiègne, and her emissaries
hastened immediately by plane to Rome to learn Italy's price for peace.
The German press today is wholly occupied in stressing the historic significance of the
new armistice of Compiègne.
"Compiègne was not selected as the scene of the present armistice merely as
retaliation," says the Hamburger Fremdenblatt, "but because it is now the business of
Europe to liquidate the running war that England and France have been waging against
the Reich and the German people since 1914. Our aim is to achieve a genuine and
lasting peace, and for this purpose it demanded a symbolic act to wipe out everything
that might have kept the German and French people apart unless the spirit of
Compiègne of 1918 is to be perpetuated."
A similar sentiment finds expression in the Voelkis Beobachter, which says:
"It required the forest of Compiègne to make reparation for one of the infamies of
history. The very moment that the French delegation leaves Compiègne, we and with us
all Germany will realize that one of the blackest days that ever befell the German people
will have been deleted from the pages of history. Among other things, not only
Germany but all of Europe emerges a victor from Compiègne."
Reference to a "peace of reparation," which was one of the three armistice demands
specified in the preamble read to the French delegation at Compiègne yesterday, must
also be interpreted as applying to Germany's demands for restitution for injustices done
at Versailles. Though its phraseology is somewhat obscure, its importance is made clear
in today's press comments, which leave no doubt that redress for wrongs inflicted on
Germany will come up for review and revision in the coming settlement.
Reparations for those wrongs fall on the shoulders of France and Britain jointly, the
press observes, although France, for the time being, must carry the burden alone.
There is only one remaining foe to world peace after the armistice with France, says
the Fremdenblatt, and that is "the naked and brutal power politics of Britain." "Of this
the peace-loving nations of the world are fully aware," the paper adds.
French Fly to Italy
Berlin, June 22 (UP)--France signed Chancellor Hitler's terms of armistice tonight at 6:
50 o'clock [12:50 P.M. New York time] in the Forest of Compiègne, and her emissaries
hastened immediately by plane to Rome to learn Italy's price for peace.
| XXX |
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| Quiz #485 Results |
| ********** |
| Answers to Quiz #485- July 19, 2015 |
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| TinEye Alert You can find this photo on TinEye.com, but the quiz will be a lot more fun if you solve the puzzle on your own. |
| NY Times Article on French Armistice www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0622.html |
| The Armistice |
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| XXX |
How Ida Solved the Puzzle |
| Ooooops, Google did it again. I started typing Compaigne Internationale and by the middle of the second word, it already had suggested "mpagnie internationale des wagons-lits", so I accepted it and, seeing it was about trains, assumed it was a good hint and I was on the right track (literally). Still, there were several pictures and nothing resembled this specific car. After adding "voiture restaurant" to the phrase without success, I tried "soldiers". I did find another pic with soldiers on it and clicked. That gave me the biggest clue of them all: Armistice. That way I started researching about it, but I was in the wrong date: 1918. It was in another search that I found a much similar image, obviously taken on the same day.... with Hitler!!!! so I went back to a website (in French) that stated that both armistices had been signed on the same car, and on the wikipedia article went for the dissambiguation and clicked on the right date. The article had all the info. Ida Sanchez |
| XXX |
| The scene in our quiz photo, taken from another angle appears at about 30 seconds into the Pathe video. Note that the shadow Hitler casts on the soldier is about the same in the two pictures. Also note the position of Hitler's arm is the same, and that his head is just a little higher than the soldier's head. |
Berlin, June 22--The armistice treaty between
Germany and France was signed today in the forest
of Compiègne at 6:50 P.M. German Summer time
[12:50 P.M. New York time]. Col. Gen. Wilhelm
Keitel, Chancellor Hitler's plenipotentiary, signed for
Germany and General Charles Huntziger for France.
Its contents will not be made public for the present,
but it is announced that the agreement does not
provide for immediate cessation of hostilities. The
fighting is to end six hours after the Italian
Government has notified the German High Command
of the signing of an armistice treaty between Italy
and France.
Germany and France was signed today in the forest
of Compiègne at 6:50 P.M. German Summer time
[12:50 P.M. New York time]. Col. Gen. Wilhelm
Keitel, Chancellor Hitler's plenipotentiary, signed for
Germany and General Charles Huntziger for France.
Its contents will not be made public for the present,
but it is announced that the agreement does not
provide for immediate cessation of hostilities. The
fighting is to end six hours after the Italian
Government has notified the German High Command
of the signing of an armistice treaty between Italy
and France.
| ARMISTICE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GERMAN HIGH COMMAND OF THE ARMED FORCES AND FRENCH PLENIPOTENTIARIES, COMPIEGNE, JUNE 22, 1940 Between the chief of the High Command of the armed forces, Col. Gen. [Wilhelm] Keitel, commissioned by the Fuehrer of the German Reich and Supreme Commander in Chief of the German Armed Forces, and the fully authorized plenipotentiaries of the French Government, General [Charles L. C.] Huntziger, chairman of the delegation; Ambassador [Leon] Noel, Rear Admiral [Maurice R.] LeLuc, Army Corps General [Georges] Parisot an Air Force General [Jean-Marie Joseph] Bergeret, the following armistice treaty was agreed upon: ARTICLE I. The French Government directs a cessation of fighting against the German Reich in France as well as in French possessions, colonies, protectorate territories, mandates as well as on the seas. It [the French Government] directs the immediate laying down of arms of French units already encircled by German troops. ARTICLE II. To safeguard the interests of the German Reich, French State territory north and west of the line drawn on the attached map will be occupied by German troops. As far as the parts to be occupied still are not in control of German troops, this occupation will be carried out immediately after the conclusion of this treaty. ARTICLE III. In the occupied parts of France the German Reich exercises all rights of an occupying power The French Government obligates itself to support with every means the regulations resulting from the exercise of these rights and to carry them out with the aid of French administration. All French authorities and officials of the occupied territory, therefore, are to be promptly informed by the French Government to comply with the regulations of the German military commanders and to cooperate with them in a correct manner. It is the intention of the German Government to limit the occupation of the west coast after ending hostilities with England to the extent absolutely necessary. The French Government is permitted to select the seat of its government in unoccupied territory, or, if it wishes, to move to Paris. In this case, the German Government guarantees the French Government and its central authorities every necessary alleviation so that they will be in a position to conduct the administration of unoccupied territory from Paris. ARTICLE IV. French armed forces on land, on the sea, and in the air are to be demobilized and disarmed in a period still to be set. Excepted are only those units which are necessary for maintenance of domestic order. Germany and Italy will fix their strength. The French armed forces in the territory to be occupied by Germany are to be hastily withdrawn into territory not to be occupied and be discharged. These troops, before marching out, shall lay down their weapons and equipment at the places where they are stationed at the time this treaty becomes effective. They are responsible for orderly delivery to German troops. ARTICLE V. As a guarantee for the observance of the armistice, the surrender, undamaged, of all those guns, tanks, tank defense weapons, war planes, anti-aircraft artillery, infantry weapons, means of conveyance, and munitions can be demanded from the units of the French armed forces which are standing in battle against Germany and which at the time this agreement goes into force are in territory not to be occupied by Germany. The German armistice commission will decide the extent of delivery. ARTICLE VI. Weapons, munitions, and war apparatus of every kind remaining in the unoccupied portion of France are to be stored and/or secured under German and/or Italian control—so far as not released for the arming allowed to French units. The German High Command reserves the right to direct all those measures which are necessary to exclude unauthorized use of this material. Building of new war apparatus in unoccupied territory is to be stopped immediately. ARTICLE VII. In occupied territory, all the land and coastal fortifications, with weapons, munitions, and apparatus and plants of every kind are to be surrendered undamaged. Plans of these fortifications, as well as plans of those already conquered by German troops, are to be handed over. Exact plans regarding prepared blastings, land mines, obstructions, time fuses, barriers for fighting, etc., shall be given to the German High Command. These hindrances are to be removed by French forces upon German demand. ARTICLE VIII. The French war fleet is to collect in ports to be designated more particularly, and under German and/or Italian control to demobilize and lay up—with the exception of those units released to the French Government for protection of French interests in its colonial empire. The peacetime stations of ships should control the designation of ports. The German Government solemnly declares to the French Government that it does not intend to use the French War Fleet which is in harbors under German control for its purposes in war, with the exception of units necessary for the purposes of guarding the coast and sweeping mines. It further solemnly and expressly declares that it does not intend to bring up any demands respecting the French War Fleet at the conclusion of a peace. All warships outside France are to be recalled to France with the exception of that portion of the French War Fleet which shall be designated to represent French interests in the colonial empire. ARTICLE IX. The French High Command must give the German High Command the exact location of all mines which France has set out, as well as information on the other harbor and coastal obstructions and defense facilities. Insofar as the German High Command may require, French forces must clear away the mines. ARTICLE X. The French Government is obligated to forbid any portion of its remaining armed forces to undertake hostilities against Germany in any manner. French Government also will prevent members of its armed forces from leaving the country and prevent armaments of any sort, including ships, planes, etc., being taken to England or any other place abroad. The French Government will forbid French citizens to fight against Germany in the service of States with which the German Reich is still at war. French citizens who violate this provision are to be treated by German troops as insurgents. ARTICLE XI. French commercial vessels of all sorts, including coastal and harbor vessels which are now in French hands, may not leave port until further notice. Resumption of commercial voyages will require approval of the German and Italian Governments. French commercial vessels will be recalled by the French Government or, if return is impossible, the French Government will instruct them to enter neutral harbors. All confiscated German commercial vessels are, on demand, to be returned [to Germany] undamaged. ARTICLE XII. Flight by any airplane over French territory shall be prohibited. Every plane making a flight without German approval will be regarded as an enemy by the German Air Force and treated accordingly. In unoccupied territory, air fields and ground facilities of the air force shall be under German and Italian control. Demand may be made that such air fields be rendered unusable. The French Government is required to take charge of all foreign airplanes in the unoccupied region to prevent flights. They are to be turned over to the German armed forces . ARTICLE XIII. The French Government obligates itself to turn over to German troops in the occupied region all facilities and properties of the French armed forces in undamaged condition. It [the French Government] also will see to it that harbors, industrial facilities, and docks are preserved in their present condition and damaged in no way. The same stipulations apply to transportation routes and equipment, especially railways, roads, and canals, and to the whole communications network and equipment, waterways and coastal transportation services. Additionally, the French Government is required on demand of the German High Command to perform all necessary restoration labor on these facilities. The French Government will see to it that in the occupied region necessary technical personnel and rolling stock of the railways and other transportation equipment, to a degree normal in peacetime, be retained in service. ARTICLE XIV. There is an immediate prohibition of transmission for all wireless stations on French soil. Resumption of wireless connections from the unoccupied portion of France requires a special regulation. ARTICLE XV. The French Government obligates itself to convey transit freight between the German Reich and Italy through unoccupied territory to the extent demanded by the German Government. ARTICLE XVI. The French Government, in agreement with the responsible German officials, will carry out the return of population into occupied territory. ARTICLE XVII. The French Government obligates itself to prevent every transference of economic valuables and provisions from the territory to be occupied by German troops into unoccupied territory or abroad. These valuables and provisions in occupied territory are to be disposed of only in agreement with the German Government. In that connection, the German Government will consider the necessities of life of the population in unoccupied territory. ARTICLE XVIII. The French-Government will bear the costs of maintenance of German occupation troops on French soil. ARTICLE XIX. All German war and civil prisoners in French custody, including those under arrest and convicted who were seized and sentenced because of acts in favor of the German Reich, shall be surrendered immediately to German troops. The French Government is obliged to surrender upon demand all Germans named by the German Government in France as well as in French possessions, colonies, protectorate territories, and mandates. The French Government binds itself to prevent removal of German war and civil prisoners from France into French possessions or into foreign countries. Regarding prisoners already taken outside of France, as well as sick and wounded German prisoners who cannot be transported, exact lists with the places of residence are to be produced. The German High Command assumes care of sick and wounded German war prisoners. ARTICLE XX. French troops in German prison camps will remain prisoners of war until conclusion of a peace. ARTICLE XXI. The French Government assumes responsibility for the security of all objects and valuables whose undamaged surrender or holding in readiness for German disposal is demanded in this agreement or whose removal outside the country is forbidden. The French Government is bound to compensate for all destruction, damage or removal contrary to agreement. ARTICLE XXII. The Armistice Commission, acting in accordance with the direction of the German High Command, will regulate and supervise the carrying out of the armistice agreement. It is the task of the Armistice Commission further to insure the necessary conformity of this agreement with the Italian- French armistice. The French Government will send a delegation to the seat of the German Armistice Commission to represent the French wishes and to receive regulations from the German Armistice Commission for executing [the agreement]. ARTICLE XXIII. This armistice agreement becomes effective as soon as the French Government also has reached an agreement with the Italian Government regarding cessation of hostilities. Hostilities will be stopped six hours after the moment at which the Italian Government has notified the German Government of conclusion of its agreement. The German Government will notify the French Government of this time by wireless. ARTICLE XXIV. This agreement is valid until conclusion of a peace treaty. The German Government may terminate this agreement at any time with immediate effect if the French Government fails to fulfill the obligations it assumes under the agreement. This armistice agreement, signed in the Forest of Compiegne, June 22,1940, at 6:50 p.m., German summer time. HUNTZIGER KEITEL APPENDIX The line mentioned in Article II of the armistice agreement begins in the east on the French-Swiss border at Geneva and runs thence nearly over the villages of Dele, Paray, Le Monial, and Bourges to approximately twenty kilometers east of Tours. From there it goes at a distance of twenty kilometers east of the Tours-Angouleme-Liborune railway line and extends through Mont de Marsan and Orthez to the Spanish border. |
As the latter is now believed to be a mere formality, already agreed upon by the leaders
of the Axis Powers in their discussion in Munich last Tuesday, its conclusion is
expected within the next forty-eight hours. The French delegation that conferred at
Compiègne also will negotiate with Italy. Such procedure, it is predicted, will end the
war on the Continent early in the coming week.
Scene in Car Dramatic
The French delegation returned to Compiègne from Paris at 10 A.M. and continued its
deliberations throughout the day, during which it was in constant communication with
the Bordeaux government. To expedite contacts, German military authorities installed a
direct telephone wire connecting the armistice car with Bordeaux.
The German radio broadcast announcing the signing of the treaty closed with the
words, "We thank our Fuehrer." There was a dramatic scene in the armistice car at
Compiègne before the formalities were completed. General Huntziger, in a choked
voice, announced that his government had ordered him to sign.
"Before carrying out my government's order," he said, "the French delegation deems it
necessary to declare that in a moment when France is compelled by fate of arms to
give up the fight, she has a right to expect that the coming negotiations will be
dominated by a spirit that will give two great neighboring nations a chance to live and
work once more. As a soldier you will well understand the onerous moment that has
now come for me to sign."
After the signatures were affixed, General Keitel requested all present to rise from their
seats, and then said:
"It is honorable for the victor to do honor to the vanquished. We have risen in
commemoration of those who gave their blood to their countries."
Talks With Italy Speeded
The French delegation left Compiègne for Paris tonight and is expected to take up
negotiations with Italy without further delay to bring the hostilities to a quick close.
With an Italian-French armistice in imminent prospect, military activities are now
expected to give way to diplomatic negotiations and it is not improbable that Germany,
Italy, France and possibly also Belgium will meet in conference soon in some German
city to discuss steps for an approach to honorable peace.
Meanwhile there is no indication in German official or press utterances to suggest that
of the Axis Powers in their discussion in Munich last Tuesday, its conclusion is
expected within the next forty-eight hours. The French delegation that conferred at
Compiègne also will negotiate with Italy. Such procedure, it is predicted, will end the
war on the Continent early in the coming week.
Scene in Car Dramatic
The French delegation returned to Compiègne from Paris at 10 A.M. and continued its
deliberations throughout the day, during which it was in constant communication with
the Bordeaux government. To expedite contacts, German military authorities installed a
direct telephone wire connecting the armistice car with Bordeaux.
The German radio broadcast announcing the signing of the treaty closed with the
words, "We thank our Fuehrer." There was a dramatic scene in the armistice car at
Compiègne before the formalities were completed. General Huntziger, in a choked
voice, announced that his government had ordered him to sign.
"Before carrying out my government's order," he said, "the French delegation deems it
necessary to declare that in a moment when France is compelled by fate of arms to
give up the fight, she has a right to expect that the coming negotiations will be
dominated by a spirit that will give two great neighboring nations a chance to live and
work once more. As a soldier you will well understand the onerous moment that has
now come for me to sign."
After the signatures were affixed, General Keitel requested all present to rise from their
seats, and then said:
"It is honorable for the victor to do honor to the vanquished. We have risen in
commemoration of those who gave their blood to their countries."
Talks With Italy Speeded
The French delegation left Compiègne for Paris tonight and is expected to take up
negotiations with Italy without further delay to bring the hostilities to a quick close.
With an Italian-French armistice in imminent prospect, military activities are now
expected to give way to diplomatic negotiations and it is not improbable that Germany,
Italy, France and possibly also Belgium will meet in conference soon in some German
city to discuss steps for an approach to honorable peace.
Meanwhile there is no indication in German official or press utterances to suggest that
| Armistice of 22 June 1940 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armistice_of_22_June_1940 |
The Armistice of 22 June 1940 was
signed at 18:36 near Compiègne, France,
by the top military officials of Nazi
Germany and more junior representatives
from the French Third Republic, namely
by General Keitel, the commander-in-
chief of the Wehrmacht, the German
Army, and by General Huntziger for the
French side. Following the decisive
German victory in the Battle of France
signed at 18:36 near Compiègne, France,
by the top military officials of Nazi
Germany and more junior representatives
from the French Third Republic, namely
by General Keitel, the commander-in-
chief of the Wehrmacht, the German
Army, and by General Huntziger for the
French side. Following the decisive
German victory in the Battle of France
Germany is not grimly determined to
prosecute her war on Britain with all
possible speed, and this determination has
received fresh impetus through
uninterrupted attacks by British bombers
on German objectives.
With French Channel ports now available
as German air bases, raids on English
coastal points also have increased in
recent days and with the final liquidation
of the war in France it is predicted that
Chancellor Hitler will lose no time in
prosecute her war on Britain with all
possible speed, and this determination has
received fresh impetus through
uninterrupted attacks by British bombers
on German objectives.
With French Channel ports now available
as German air bases, raids on English
coastal points also have increased in
recent days and with the final liquidation
of the war in France it is predicted that
Chancellor Hitler will lose no time in
| General Huntzinger signs the armistice on behalf of France |
(10 May–21 June 1940), this armistice established a German occupation zone in
Northern and Western France that encompassed all English Channel and Atlantic Ocean
ports and left the remainder "free" to be governed by the French. Adolf Hitler
deliberately chose Compiègne Forest as the site to sign the armistice due to its symbolic
role as the site of the 1918 Armistice with Germany that signaled the end of World War
I with Germany's surrender.
Choice of Compiegne
When Adolf Hitler received word from the French government that they wished to
negotiate an armistice, Hitler selected Compiègne Forest as the site for the negotiations.
As Compiègne was the site of the 1918 Armistice ending the Great War with
Germany's conflict cessation, Hitler saw using this location as a supreme moment of
revenge for Germany over France. Hitler decided that the signing should take place in
the same rail carriage, Compiègne Wagon, where the Germans had signed the 1918
armistice. However, in the last sentence of the preamble, the drafters inserted
"However, Germany does not have the intention to use the armistice conditions and
armistice negotiations as a form of humiliation against such a valiant opponent"
referring to the French forces. Furthermore, in Article 3, Clause 2, the drafters stated
that their intention was not to heavily occupy North-West France after cessation of
hostilities with Britain.
In the very same railway carriage in which the 1918 Armistice was signed (removed
Northern and Western France that encompassed all English Channel and Atlantic Ocean
ports and left the remainder "free" to be governed by the French. Adolf Hitler
deliberately chose Compiègne Forest as the site to sign the armistice due to its symbolic
role as the site of the 1918 Armistice with Germany that signaled the end of World War
I with Germany's surrender.
Choice of Compiegne
When Adolf Hitler received word from the French government that they wished to
negotiate an armistice, Hitler selected Compiègne Forest as the site for the negotiations.
As Compiègne was the site of the 1918 Armistice ending the Great War with
Germany's conflict cessation, Hitler saw using this location as a supreme moment of
revenge for Germany over France. Hitler decided that the signing should take place in
the same rail carriage, Compiègne Wagon, where the Germans had signed the 1918
armistice. However, in the last sentence of the preamble, the drafters inserted
"However, Germany does not have the intention to use the armistice conditions and
armistice negotiations as a form of humiliation against such a valiant opponent"
referring to the French forces. Furthermore, in Article 3, Clause 2, the drafters stated
that their intention was not to heavily occupy North-West France after cessation of
hostilities with Britain.
In the very same railway carriage in which the 1918 Armistice was signed (removed
from a museum building and placed on
the precise spot where it was located in
1918), on 21 June 1940, Hitler sat in the
same chair in which Marshal Ferdinand
Foch had sat when he faced the
representatives of the defeated German
Empire. After listening to the reading of
the preamble, Hitler – in a calculated
gesture of disdain to the French delegates
– left the carriage, as Foch had done in
1918, leaving the negotiations to his
Oberkommando der Wehrmacht
the precise spot where it was located in
1918), on 21 June 1940, Hitler sat in the
same chair in which Marshal Ferdinand
Foch had sat when he faced the
representatives of the defeated German
Empire. After listening to the reading of
the preamble, Hitler – in a calculated
gesture of disdain to the French delegates
– left the carriage, as Foch had done in
1918, leaving the negotiations to his
Oberkommando der Wehrmacht
HERE ON THE ELEVENTH OF NOVEMBER 1918
SUCCUMBED THE CRIMINAL PRIDE OF THE
GERMAN REICH. VANQUISHED BY THE FREE
PEOPLES WHICH IT TRIED TO ENSLAVE.
The Alsace-Lorraine Monument (depicting a German
eagle impaled by a sword) was also destroyed and all
evidence of the site was obliterated, with the notable
exception of the statue of Marshal Foch: Hitler
intentionally ordered it to be left intact so that it would
be honoring only a wasteland. The railway carriage itself
later exhibited in Berlin, and was taken to Crawinkel in
Thuringia in 1945, where it was destroyed by SS troops
and the remains buried.
| Left to right: Joachim von Ribbentrop, Wilhelm Keitel, Hermann Göring, Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler, and Walther von Brauchitsch in front of the Armistice carriage, on 21 June 1940. |
The agreement was announced officially
three hours later in Berlin and broadcast
to the German people by radio. By that
hour the French delegates, having placed
on record their spokesman's protest
against the "severity" of the German
conditions, were already en route by
German plane to Italy.
If no difficulties occur, it was believed
here that the "cease firing" order might
come some time Monday.
The plenipotentiaries agreed on French-
German terms twenty-seven hours and
twenty minutes after Chancellor Hitler
three hours later in Berlin and broadcast
to the German people by radio. By that
hour the French delegates, having placed
on record their spokesman's protest
against the "severity" of the German
conditions, were already en route by
German plane to Italy.
If no difficulties occur, it was believed
here that the "cease firing" order might
come some time Monday.
The plenipotentiaries agreed on French-
German terms twenty-seven hours and
twenty minutes after Chancellor Hitler
| ********** |
until after the agreement with Italy was
reached. There was no positive assurance
that the terms would be published even
then.
In the old dining car--which now will be
brought to Berlin at Chancellor Hitler's
order-- for the final ceremony were the
four French delegates, General Huntziger,
Admiral Maurice Leluc, Leon Noel and Air
General Jean Marie Bergeret.
Representing Germany were General
Keitel, Generals Jodl and von Tippelskirch
and Dr. Paul Schmidt, Foreign Office
interpreter.
Herr Hitler was not at Compiègne when
the final agreement was reached. He had
returned to his field headquarters
immediately after his brief appearance in
the railroad coach yesterday.
Inspired articles in the German press
carried a clear forecast of what Herr
reached. There was no positive assurance
that the terms would be published even
then.
In the old dining car--which now will be
brought to Berlin at Chancellor Hitler's
order-- for the final ceremony were the
four French delegates, General Huntziger,
Admiral Maurice Leluc, Leon Noel and Air
General Jean Marie Bergeret.
Representing Germany were General
Keitel, Generals Jodl and von Tippelskirch
and Dr. Paul Schmidt, Foreign Office
interpreter.
Herr Hitler was not at Compiègne when
the final agreement was reached. He had
returned to his field headquarters
immediately after his brief appearance in
the railroad coach yesterday.
Inspired articles in the German press
carried a clear forecast of what Herr
CBS war correspondent William L. Shirer
in Compiegne, France, reporting on the
negotiations or the signing of the armistice.
The building in the background enshrines
the railcar in which Marshal Foch accepted
the German request for an armistice ending
WWI on November 11, 1918. Hitler had
the railcar removed from the building two
days before the signing of the June 22,
1940 armistice.
in Compiegne, France, reporting on the
negotiations or the signing of the armistice.
The building in the background enshrines
the railcar in which Marshal Foch accepted
the German request for an armistice ending
WWI on November 11, 1918. Hitler had
the railcar removed from the building two
days before the signing of the June 22,
1940 armistice.
Hitler's thus far unrevealed terms to the French are designed to achieve.
Press comment indicated that France has been asked for full military capitulation--the
handing over of all her armed resources on land, sea and air--and additional conditions
that would guarantee Germany against any possible revival at some future date of the
Anglo-French alliance.
The Angriff, vigorous exponent of Nazi doctrine, proclaimed that "Compiègne has
become the end of the whole order of the economic, social and political system of the
French Republic."
This newspaper indicated belief that France would not only be stripped of her military
power, but also swung into the totalitarian economic and political orbit.
"After this war," it said, "France will take the first step toward a new era that the young
authoritarian States of Europe have already taken."
Press comment indicated that France has been asked for full military capitulation--the
handing over of all her armed resources on land, sea and air--and additional conditions
that would guarantee Germany against any possible revival at some future date of the
Anglo-French alliance.
The Angriff, vigorous exponent of Nazi doctrine, proclaimed that "Compiègne has
become the end of the whole order of the economic, social and political system of the
French Republic."
This newspaper indicated belief that France would not only be stripped of her military
power, but also swung into the totalitarian economic and political orbit.
"After this war," it said, "France will take the first step toward a new era that the young
authoritarian States of Europe have already taken."