In April and May, remainders of SS-units, among them the main staff of the SS-Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler, withdrew from the quickly advancing French units commanded by Charles de Gaulle, to Tyrol, which Nazi propaganda had portrayed as a "fortress in the Alps".
Aprillis ja mais taandusid SS-üksuste riismed, nende seas SS-Reichsführer Heinrich Himmleri peastaap, kiirelt edenevate Prantsuse üksuste eest, keda juhtis Charles de Gaulle, Tirooli, mida natsipropaganda kujutas kui "kindlust Alpides".