As Hitler’s threats mounted, the USSR and theCommunist International changed their line. By April 1941, the conflict was no longer presented as an imperialist war, with France and Great Britain pitted against their common enemy, Nazi Germany.
In France, following Germany’s invasion of the USSR, the Communists resumed their frontal struggle against fascism. Initially, they had favored the anti-Pétainist struggle, but from then on, they increasingly denounced Nazi fascism.
The French economy was handed over to the occupying forces by Vichy. The country, faced with supply difficulties, became increasingly critical of the government.
In June 1941, with the help of the French police, the Germans arrested “communist agitators”: around 1,300 people were sent to internment camps.
The Communists gradually affirmed their priority: armed resistance.
Many immigrant Jews were among the first to join the Party’s Special Organization (SO) groups, created in October 1940. OS fighters engaged in dangerous attacks and sabotage (particularly on railway installations) against occupying troops.
On July 1, a German freight train derailed at Noisy-le-Grand after Jewish resistance members of the OS had taken action.
Other Jews, members of the Communist Youth, soon became involved in the Youth Battalions created in July-August 1941 after the break-up of the German-Soviet non-aggression pact.
The sabotage and armed struggle were accompanied by equally dangerous civil resistance actions: chalk inscriptions on walls hostile to Vichy and the occupiers, provision of hideouts or false papers, collection of money, distribution of newspapers or leaflets.
Leaflets fulfilled a number of functions: demonstrating the existence and determination of the Resistance, informing, recruiting, training new fighters and maintaining fighting spirit.
Official information was in the hands of the occupying forces and the Petainists, and the Germans sought to muzzle any voices opposed to Hitler’s policies.
From then on, the Jewish underground press proved to be of vital importance. The newspapers Unzer Wort and Notre Voix or Notre Parole continued to appear until the Liberation.
The safety instructions they regularly remind us of are sometimes difficult for young activists to adhere to strictly.
