Under Secretary
Appointed Under Secretary of State for War
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1940 in France — Page 3
Explore 149 historical events and records for France in 1940.
Historical records for France in 1940
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 149 unique records.
149Unique records
3 of 4Page
25Named events on this page
7Named people on this page
9Places on this page
June
Mobilization
Arranges transportation of 500,000 French soldiers to continue the war in north Africa
Capital
The French Government departs from Paris for Tours
Churchill promises that
Churchill promises that after the Allies win the war France will be fully restored
Requests Roosevelt to enter the war to save France
Requests Roosevelt to enter the war to save France
Result of Surrender of France
France moves closer to seeking an armistice, although Britain refuses to endorse a separate peace.
Surrender of France
Churchill refuses to support a seperate French peace with Germany
Capital
It is decided to move the French Government to Bordeaux
Capture of Paris
The Germans capture Paris
Receives a telegram from Roosevelt saying the US will not enter the
Receives a telegram from Roosevelt saying the US will not enter the war
Constitution of France
Forms the Vichy Government & gives orders for the British to leave France
Prime Minister of France
Appointed Prime Minister of the French Government in Bordeaux
Prime Minister of France
Appointed Prime Minister of the French Government in Bordeaux
Resignation of Paul Reynaud
Resigns after transferring the Government to Bordeaux, replaced by Petain
Vichy Government
Forms the Vichy Government & gives orders for the British to leave France
Armistice
Asks the Germans for an Armistice
Broadcast
Broadcasts to the French people declaring that the War for France is not over
Armistice
Germany presents armistice terms to France
Capture of Cherbourg
Rommels 7th Panzer Div captures Cherbourg
Exile of Edouard Daladier
Sets sail with other former French ministers to North Africa on the cruiser Massila
Armistice
Signs an armistice with the Germans in the Foch railway carriage of 1918
Marshal
Appointed Marshal
Marshal
Appointed Marshal
July
Catapult
Vichy breaks off dilomatic relations with Britain in response to Operation Catapult
Head of State
Formally proclaimed head of State in France
Head of State
Appointed Head of State in France
Battle of Mers-el-Kebir
Engagement off the coast of French Algeria where a British Royal Navy task force attacked and destroyed much of the French fleet stationed there.
Battle of Mers-el-Kebir
The French squadron consists of the old battleships Provence and Bretagne, the modern battleships (or battlecruisers) Dunkerque and Strasburg, the seaplane tender Commandant Teste and six destroyers under the command of Admiral Marcel-Bruno Gensou.
Battle of Mers-el-Kebir
in an attempt to avoid its falling into the hands of the German Navy.
Vice Prime Minister
Appointed Vice Prime Minister of France after the collapse of France
Vice Prime Minister
Appointed Vice Prime Minister of France after the collapse of France
August
Battle of St Quentin
Forced back & abandons the objective of capturing St Quentin
October
Collaboration
Laval meets Hitler & offers to collaborate
Invasion of France
Laval meets Hitler & offers to collaborate
Vice Prime Minister
Appointed Vice Prime Minister in the Vichy Government of Marshal Philippe Petain
Vice Prime Minister
Appointed Vice Prime Minister in the Vichy Government of Marshal Philippe Petain
Vice Prime Minister
Appointed Vice Prime Minister in the Vichy Government of Marshal Philippe Petain
Vichy Government
Appointed Vice Prime Minister in the Vichy Government of Marshal Philippe Petain
Vichy Government
Appointed Vice Prime Minister in the Vichy Government of Marshal Philippe Petain
Vichy Government
Appointed Vice Prime Minister in the Vichy Government of Marshal Philippe Petain
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.