German Wehrmacht occupies Monaco; deportation of Jewish population begins.

In September 1943, Monaco became a tragic focal point of World War II when the German Wehrmacht occupied the principality. This marked a dark chapter in Monaco's history, as it brought with it the implementation of Nazi policies, including the persecution and deportation of the Jewish population. The occupation began after Italy's armistice with the Allies, which left Monaco vulnerable to German control, as it had previously been under Italian influence. Under the occupation, the German forces began rounding up Jewish residents and refugees who had sought safety in Monaco, many of whom were deported to extermination camps. This betrayal was facilitated in part by the collaboration of local officials, who provided the Nazis with information. Among the most infamous deportations was that of René Blum, a prominent cultural figure and brother of Léon Blum, the former French Prime Minister. Blum died in Auschwitz in 1943. Prince Louis II, who was the reigning monarch during this period, faced criticism for his perceived inaction and inability to shield Monaco's Jewish population. The principality, which had previously been a haven for those fleeing Nazi terror, became a site of horror and tragedy. The occupation lasted until the liberation of Monaco in 1944, but the scars left by the events of 1943 remain a somber reminder of the cost of complicity and the reach of Nazi persecution during the war. Efforts to reconcile with this past have included memorializing the victims and acknowledging the failures of leadership during this grim period. #WWIIHistory #MonacoOccupation #MomentsOfLife #MoofLife_Moment #MoofLife