The campaign against Freemasons under the Vichy regime (1940-1944). The example of Correze

Less than five weeks after his arrival in power, Marshal Petain, Head of State of the regime known as Vichy France, decides to abolish the Freemasons. By 13 August 1940, the secret societies have been dissolved. The machine of repression moves swiftly into gear: searches of the premises of the Lodges, confiscation of their property, publication of names in the Journal officiel, dismissal from office of the Freemason officials. The rural department of Correze, which contained two Lodges, suffered this experience at the first hand. Seventy members see their names revealed, twelve are dismissed from public service. Nevertheless, face to face with the Vichy order, the Freemasons of Correze find the means to resist. Four of their number die in the cause of the Resistance.