Were Americans allowed to be in France, specifically Paris, during World War II? And if so did they need to have some sort of permission? I've been looking all over the internet for websites that could help me but I haven't found any!
2007-10-29 09:33:42 · 6 answers · asked by &hearts 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
I assume you mean as tourists?
No, France was occupied by the Germans who we were fighting so if they caught any American citizens, they would be taken prisoner. I'm sure we had some there but they were under cover or in hiding.
2007-10-29 09:38:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Now that other people mention it, yes there probably were Americans in occupied France. According to my history professor, the U.S. Army did go into France after World War II to make sure that Communism didn't take over the country (my late grandfather was sent to France because of this; he was in the U.S. Army).
2007-10-29 09:46:25 · answer #2 · answered by chrstnwrtr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Americans began to leave France once we declared war on Germany in Dec 1941. When the German Army began to attack France, the few remaining Americans left for England or America. After the German conquest of France, the only Americans officially left in France were downed airmen and OSS agents.
2007-10-29 09:41:14 · answer #3 · answered by Wolfy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had several relatives who told me about their times in France during the war.
They said that a lot of the people they knew and worked with were American, and this was way before D-Day.
They didn't know whether they were there before the war or were planted there during the war, but they did say that they always knew what was going on and were a source of information, which suggests they were not your average tourist.
Whatever, they always spoke highly of the Americans they met.
2007-10-29 09:49:27 · answer #4 · answered by Bed Sore. 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, there were Americans who lived in France when it was occupied, and stayed there. I just read Ambrose book on Normandy, and he mentions an American woman in a village who found out the Allies had landed when people came by to congratulate her.
Of course there were a variety of secret agents there as well.
2007-10-29 09:40:49 · answer #5 · answered by glenn 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Certainly before December 1941, when Germany and America were still at peace.
Artists in Paris, like Gertrude Stein for example.
William Shirer also visited.
2007-10-29 09:52:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋