Author Description

Using archival material and testimonies, describes concentration camps in the south of France (in the territories not occupied by the Germans until 1943), such as Gurs, Les Milles, Vernet, Rivesaltes, Saint-Cyprien. Some of them were established before the war, in the context of immigration policy, but only during Petain's regime was internment made part of the state's racist policy. Deals with legislation concerning the camps, their organization, and daily life there. Describes, as well, assistance given to internees by various Jewish and non-Jewish organizations. Chs. 14 and 15 deal with the deportation of Jews via Drancy to Auschwitz.