Vichy France and World War II occupation of France

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France was invaded in May 1940 by German forces and an armistice was signed in June. The northern and western parts of France remained occupied. Otherwise there was a French-controlled region in the southern half of France not including the Atlantic coast. That government was based in Vichy, therefore the origin of the name.

French stamps were still used in both parts, with a few exceptions. With the exception of a couple of earlier issues, "RF" was removed from stamps that were otherwised inscribed POSTES FRANÇAISE, FRANCE or POSTES FRANCE. 



Occupation issues








Colonial issues
The Vichy government considered the colonial empire still theirs. Therefore, it continued to issue stamps for them. While some colonial governments were loyal to the Vichy government or took a neutral position, Vichy-era stamps were never delivered to the colonies and so were never used postally.

There are several different standard colonial design series. There were also designs adapted from older stamps with a portrait of Pétain added. The Vichy government also reissued older designs with "RF" removed.

Even when colonies were captured by the Allies or declared for the Free French, the Vichy government would continue to issue stamps for them.  File:Fr Guinea Vichy soldier.jpg|French Guinea stamp from the semipostal series showing colonial soldiers. File:Fr off Kwangchow Vichy.jpg|Kwangchow issue with Pétain portrait. File:Indochina Vichy air.jpg|Indochina airmail, from one of the sets using previous designs with "RF" removed. File:Somali Coast Vichy green.jpg|Somali Coast, one of the values from the indigenous children charity series. 

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