When France surrendered to Germany in June 1940, it was divided into an Occupied and Unoccupied—or Free—Zone. Alsace and Lorraine were annexed by Germany.

The Free Zone was under the jurisdiction of the French Government headquartered in Vichy, of which WWI hero Marshall Philippe Pétain was the "Chief."

Vichy's Laws took effect as long as they were consistent with German regulations in the Occupied Zone.

The "Final Solution to the Jewish Question" in France came under the Gestapo's Office for Jewish Affairs in France, whose head reported to the infamous Adolf Eichmann, in Berlin. At German urging, Vichy undertook a census of Jews, including their whereabouts, established an anti-Jewish police force and created the UGIF (Union Générale des Israélites de France or General Union of Jews of France) which was accountable to the anti-semites of the French State.

We were bidden—our mother and her two sons—to appear for "Registration of Foreign Nationals" at a Government Office. She had received a "notice-to-appear" on a certain date.

Government office

We found ourselves in a yard surrounded by high walls, together with a large number of other similarly mandated persons—all of whom turned out to be Jews. Mother stood in line with her two rambunctious tow-headed kids until she was eventually allowed into the building.