 By 1942, 14 Houdry fixed-bed catalytic units were producing high-octane aviation fuel for the armed forces.During World War II, Houdry strongly opposed the government of Vichy France under Marshall Philippe Pétain and its collaboration with Germany.As president of the U.S. chapter of "France Forever", Houdry vocally and publicly criticized Petain, stating that he did not speak for the French people.