Who was the French general who surrendered to the Germans during World War II?
The French general who surrendered to the Germans during World War II was Marshal Philippe Pétain. Pétain was a World War I hero, known for his leadership in the Battle of Verdun, but in World War II, he became a controversial figure.
After the German invasion of France in 1940, Pétain became Prime Minister of France and signed the armistice with Germany on June 22, 1940. He then became head of the French government in the unoccupied zone of France, with its capital in Vichy. The Vichy government collaborated with the Germans and implemented anti-Semitic policies, including the deportation of Jews to concentration camps.
After the war, Pétain was tried and convicted of high treason for collaborating with the Germans. He was sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment due to his age and his previous military service to France. He died in prison in 1951.
Despite his controversial legacy, Pétain remains a significant figure in French history, both for his heroism in World War I and his role in World War II.
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