It is pointing to the mantle , second layer on the Earth
Nazi occupied France had German soldiers stationed all around the area. The activity of the French resistance was heightened in northern France. French citizens were limited in the places they could go, unlike Vichy France.
I'm not positive but I think it was because of nuclear power where each country kept on acquiring more nuclear powers. Each country was trying to out power the other and this caused tensions to be higher since there was a risk of war.