Methods: How they did what they did

Because the total number of resistance solders and aids totaled only around 400,000, and because few of these members were actually willing or able to take on combat roles, the Resistance could not face the Germans in the open. The Resistance movement was based mainly around espionage, guerilla warfare, sabotage and propaganda. During and after the invasion of Normandy the French rose up to aid the allies, but until that point in time, few if any pitched battles took place.
Distribution of propaganda and information: The distribution of news untainted by the Nazis was extremely important. Because the French could not trust the Nazis and the Vichy government to give an honest description of how the war was going, French people relied on the BBC along with other French radio stations and free papers to provide them with news, warnings and instructions. Papers such as Défense de la France, a newspaper printed and circulated in the occupied North of France, was a paper that mixed propaganda with news of victories by the Allies coupled with atrocities by the Axis to stir resistance feeling. Though at first not loyal to De Gaulle, it eventually became directly linked to the FPG.


(The cover from a 1943 issue) The writing and or distribution of rebellious literature was one of the most basic forms of resistance. Those who did not want to risk their lives in battle would work in these papers.
Sabotage: The act of Sabotage was one of the most commonly practiced forms of active resistance. Sabotage ranged everywhere from stabbing government official’s tires to planting bombs in munitions factories and German barracks. The most common forms of Sabotage were destruction of railways and bridges to hinder German movement and cause them to lose money, men and supplies. Originally explosive sabotage was done with stolen dynamite. But eventually the French learned to make their own, or used the hundreds of Drops done by British planes.(Marshall, The White Rabbit, p. 20) One group of French and Spanish communists, (the infamous Spanish Maquis) was credited with the destruction of over four hundred railways, fifty-eight locomotives, thirty-five railway bridges, and fifty telephone lines. (Gelhorn, The Undefeated)
Espionage: The act of spying could be carried out by anyone. Consequently spying and intelligence gathering was the most common form of Resistance. Workers in factories or servants to officials would listen and observe. This information would eventually make its way to government officials in England. One of the greatest contributions of resistance espionage to the war occurred in the days leading up to D-day. Resistance spies located safe areas for parachute troopers as well as mapping the German seawall and anti-ship defenses up the coast. Thousands upon thousands more allied deaths would have occurred without the aid of French spies. (Marshall, The White Rabbit, p. 20) However, if caught, Espionage agents would be executed, usually without a trial, although some were made into public spectacles.

The most extreme and direct for of Resistance was armed. Bands of French soldiers would ambush coveys or patrols with small arms and pre planted bombs. One of the main goals of these groups was high profile assassinations. Attempted assassinations, many of them successful, were at first common place during the resistance. However, as these attempts went on Nazi and Vichy officials began executing large numbers of civilians in the areas where the killings had gone on. This discouraged high profile killings, but did little to stem attacks on common Wermont soldiers. Armed resistance was not organized or widespread until the invasion of Normandy. As the allies landed across France, hundreds of thousands rose in arms to aid the allies. By attacking and hindering German recruits being sent to the front lines, the resistance fighters were able to allow the Allies enough breathing room to push the Nazis back.