During a brief period from 1940-1944 in France, Freemasonry met its nemesis. He wasn't a mighty warrior but rather an intellectual.

Harvard-educated historian, Bernard Fay, a member of the College de France and Director of the National Library, headed an investigative unit that rooted out Freemasons.

Working for Vichy President Philippe Petain and the Gestapo, Bernard Fay compiled a list of 170,000 Freemasons, of whom 989 were sent to concentration camps where 549 were shot. In addition, about 3000 lost their jobs. All Freemasons were required by law to declare themselves to authorities.

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