Residents of Marseille Watch the Evacuation of French Army Flags to North Africa — February 1941
July 28, 2025 - Reading time: 7 minutes
Residents of Marseille watching the evacuation of French army flags to North Africa after the defeat of the French army by Nazi Germany in February 1941.
This poignant photograph from February 2, 1941, shows residents of Marseille, France, watching the evacuation of flags belonging to the defeated French army after their collapse in the face of the Nazi invasion. The scene was captured in a WWII newsreel and represents a significant moment in French history, reflecting the struggles of the Free French Forces and their eventual regrouping in North Africa.
Following the Fall of France in 1940, the French military suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of the German Wehrmacht, leading to the disbanding of the French army and the occupation of France. However, remnants of the French forces continued their fight under the leadership of Charles de Gaulle, who led the Free French Forces in exile, primarily in North Africa. The evacuation of flags symbolized the transfer of authority and the start of Free France's resistance to Nazi occupation.
The photograph was taken by George Mejat and is a visual representation of a country in turmoil and transition. The image is a testament to the resilience of the French people during World War II, who later played a vital role in the liberation of France.
Technical photo data:
📝 Source of information:
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Guido Knopp. Der zweite Weltkrieg. Bilder, die wir nie vergessen. Edel Germany Verlag, 2014.
📍 Location: Marseille, France
📅 Date of photo: February 2, 1941
📷 Photographer: George Mejat
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Evacuation of French flags
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French army WWII
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Marseille WWII
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Free French Forces
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Nazi Germany 1941
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Charles de Gaulle WWII
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French resistance
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WWII newsreels
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Fall of France
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WWII occupation of France
