German advance spreads panic

6th June 1944: French civilians take to the roads to escape from the approaching panzers, while thousands of British POWS march towards Germany

There was soon a huge wave of French refugees moving across France, fleeing the advancing Germans.

For civilians in the path of the German forces there seemed no alternative but to move out of the line of possible battle. Many did not have a clear idea where they were going. Many people left in a panic, throwing a few possessions on a cart. Along the rou…