During World War II, Delbez, along with other self-proclaimed pacifist students, led a series of protests against German Occupation.

Summoned to the Service du travail obligatoire in 1943, he was able to cross the dividing line with false papers and join the Free France forces in Auvergne.

The actor Pierre Fresnay put him in contact with director Maurice Cloche, with whom he would direct several films as an assistant.

Delbez also worked in television, notably producing documentaries such as "La Mémoire aux images", which was broadcast on France 3.

In May 2017, the Société nouvelle de cinématographie (SNC) and Celluloid Angels raised funds to restore Rue des Cascades.