How porous was the border between occupied France and the Free Zone? What was allowed to come across?

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axisinquirer
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How porous was the border between occupied France and the Free Zone? What was allowed to come across?

#1

Post by axisinquirer » 17 Jun 2017, 03:46

Were only the Germans allowed to cross back and forth? Or were the French also allowed? If so, was it only business that could cross? What kind of business?

DavidFrankenberg
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Re: How porous was the border between occupied France and the Free Zone? What was allowed to come across?

#2

Post by DavidFrankenberg » 23 Jun 2017, 17:25

If you wanted to cross the line, you needed a let pass. It was a real frontier, they would shoot at you if you tried to pass without let pass.
But, it was still possible to crosse the line. For example, if you wanted to visit your family in the north etc...
Jews who were aware of their fate in the north part of the country wanted to go in the Free zone, but they didnt get let pass to do so. They have to try it by night, paying locals to lead them... sometimes they were shot, sometimes they were denounced to the authorities... sometimes they succeeded.
It was really hard to cross it. You would have needed false papers etc if you were jew.


axisinquirer
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Joined: 08 Jun 2017, 22:06
Location: Canada

Re: How porous was the border between occupied France and the Free Zone? What was allowed to come across?

#3

Post by axisinquirer » 14 Jul 2017, 22:17

That's very interesting. Thank-you

DavidFrankenberg
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Joined: 11 May 2016, 02:09
Location: Earth

Re: How porous was the border between occupied France and the Free Zone? What was allowed to come across?

#4

Post by DavidFrankenberg » 03 Aug 2017, 01:32

A very famous movie was made about this border called "La ligne de démarcation" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_D ... ion_(film)
Many families were separated by this line, even if you could get a let pass. People were afraid to cross it, even with legal documents, because what if you lose the documents ? ? ? It was very hazardous despite many people used to cross it. I think it was a real adventure to do so even with legal papers, so if you didnt get the papers it was a dead or alive bet.

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