On 23 December 1938, Franco's army began its final offensive against Catalonia. The republican army withdrew to avoid a disorderly retreat. Thousands of civilians made their way to the French border. On 26 January 1939, Franco's troops entered Barcelona. On 31 January, President Companys crossed the border after ensuring the evacuation of his colleagues and supporters, as well as groups of intellectuals and Catalan artists. On 9 February, Franco's troops reached Pertús. On 1 April 1939, the war came to an end.