The French government declared general mobilization and issued an evacuation order of women and children to the south.
After several days, on September 6, I enlisted in the army as a foreign resident. My wife, who received the status of a refugee was transferred to a village near Blois and, as the spouse of a soldier in the French army, received a pension and an apartment.
The local authorities protected her and looked after her. On September 19, I was transferred to a place near the Spanish border, close to the Pyrenees near Perpignan. In the meantime, events developed at dizzying pace. Poland was conquered and the war expanded at an alarming pace. The Nazi army advanced in giant steps and conquered even neutral countries. At that time I was discharged, albeit temporarily, from the army, and returned to my family.
I packed my belongings and returned to Paris with my wife and child. There were rumors that the enemy had used poison gas. But, in fact, those rumors were incorrect. This was an artificial fog used to prevent panic among the population during the abandonment of its capital, Paris by the government. At the same time the government which fled to Bordeaux issued a statement ordering women, children and old people to leave immediately Paris.
Only people able to hold and use a weapon were asked to remain and defend the capital. It is difficult to describe the panic and fear that seized the public during the evacuation. Fearful women and children streamed to the train station.
