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Free France, was a government-in-exile during World War II. It started in 1940. It ended in 1944 when it was renamed to the Provisional Government of the French Republic. It was a major allied power at war with Germany by helping in the North African Campaign and the Italian campaign.
In June 1940, the French Third Republic surrendered to the Axis powers and was divided between a German occupation zone on the North that occupied areas including Paris and the French Atlantic Ocean coast, and a puppet state in the South called the French State. The capital of the new French State was in Vichy (which gave it the nickname Vichy France). The French State also occupied the French Mediterranean Sea coast.
Meanwhile in exile in the UK, a rival government was formed with the name Free France. With Charles de Gaulle as the leader of the government-in-exile. The government-in-exile was supported by the Allies as the real government of France.
Over the years, Free France grew its army as more French territories were re-occupied by the Allies and would see fighting in Syria and Lebanon, North Africa, and Italy.
In Mainland France, Resistance fighting would happen against the German occupying forces and the Milice. With resistance groups fighting the occupying forces and sabotaging support lines.
the Resistance was supported by the Free French government and the Allies.
In June 1944, a few days before the start of the Normandy landings and the Liberation of France, the Free French government was renamed to the Provisional Government of the French Republic.
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