World War II broke out on 3 September, with Calais falling into German hands on 25 May 1940. The Pas-de-Calais department became a zone of special control, administered by the "Oberkommando der Wehrmacht" in Brussels, Belgium. Along the coast was the "red zone". It was said that French law did not apply in this zone. Under the terms of the armistice, France was to hand over its railways to the Germans undamaged and was to work with the German authorities to restore them to serviceable condition. In May 1942, a branch line was built at Berck-Ville to connect with the aerodrome, then in use by the Luftwaffe. Services were again reduced due to the German authorities requisitioning some of the locomotives and stock of the CF du ARB. Military services took priority over civilian services. In September 1943, eight bogie carriages were severely damaged when Berck-Plage came under heavy bombardment. Some of the carriages were running in December with missing glass, leading to complaints in a local newspaper.