Philippe Pétain

On returning to France, Pétain was tried before the High Court. He was found guilty of high treason and collaboration with the enemy, sentenced to death, subjected to national degradation and confiscation of his property. General de Gaulle commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment, notably because of his age and military record.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Accused

Under Pétain, the French State replaced republican traditions with "Work, Family, Fatherland", indefinitely suspended parliamentary sittings, concentrated executive power and promoted a conservative, corporatist and anti-parliamentary "National Revolution".

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

The law of 16 February 1943 established the Compulsory Labour Service, allowing French age groups to be compelled to work in Germany. The system became one of the most visible manifestations of economic collaboration and drove numerous draft evaders into hiding and the maquis.

State of the evidence

Documented

After German occupation of the southern zone, Vichy's effective sovereignty diminished further, but Pétain remained head of state while Laval's government, the Milice and repressive services deepened political, police and economic collaboration.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Shared responsibility

French police arrested more than 13,000 Jews in Paris during the Vel d'Hiv roundup, as part of operations agreed between German authorities and the Vichy government. Families were held in appalling conditions before transfer to Drancy and other camps and subsequent deportation.

State of the evidence

Documented

In late summer, French authorities changed their policy to include entire families, including children, in deportation transports. In September, Swiss minister Walter Stucki personally approached Pétain about the deportations and the children's fate; a US diplomatic telegram reported that Pétain deplored the situation but regarded it as an internal matter.

Attribution

Political responsibility

During Operation Torch, French forces loyal to Vichy fought American and British troops at Oran and in Morocco. Orders from Vichy required resistance, and the fighting caused thousands of French and Allied deaths and injuries before local ceasefires.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Command responsibility

Having become Prime Minister following Paul Reynaud's resignation, Pétain announced on 17 June that the fighting must stop and requested an armistice. The Franco-German armistice was signed on 22 June following government approval. The decision ended the continuation of war by the metropolitan government and paved the way for the Vichy regime.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

By 569 votes to 80, the National Assembly gave the government under Pétain's authority and signature the power to promulgate a new constitution. The following day, Pétain adopted constitutional acts making him head of the French State, conferring full governmental powers upon him and adjourning Parliament.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The original document of the first Statute on Jews bears handwritten annotations by Pétain. The Mémorial de la Shoah emphasises that they demonstrate his personal involvement in preparing the legislation and his wish to make several provisions harsher, notably exclusions from professions.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following the first Statute, Vichy authorised prefects to intern "foreigners of the Jewish race" in French camps at their discretion. Camps such as Les Milles became places of internment and subsequently transit under difficult conditions.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Pétain met Hitler at Montoire on 24 October. Six days later, in a radio broadcast, he accepted the principle of collaboration with Germany and declared he was entering "the path of collaboration", specifying that it was his own policy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Appointed commander-in-chief following the failure of the Chemin des Dames offensive, Pétain suppressed mutinies in the French army. The Ministry of the Armed Forces records 554 death sentences and 49 executions, while noting that he limited executions ordered by courts-martial and improved soldiers' material conditions and morale.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted