ON THE OCCASION OF GENERAL DE GAULLE'S RECOGNITION AS LEADER OF THE FREE FRENCH

LONDON,28JUNE1940

Charles de Gaulle

THE SPEECHES OF GENERAL DE GAULLE p. 8.

The undertaking just given by His Majesty's Government, recognizing me as Leader of the Free French, is of great importance and profound significance.

This undertaking enables the Free French to organize themselves for the continuation of the struggle at the side of the Allies.

This undertaking means that the Free French effort and that of our Allies are one until Victory. I have arrived at the following decisions:

(1) All Frenchmen now on British territory, as well as those who may subsequently arrive on British soil, are under my authority.

(2) French land, sea, and air forces are to be formed immediately. For the time being, they will be composed of volunteers. First, they will support every attempt at resistance in any part of the French Empire. I call upon all French soldiers, sailors, and airmen to join them. I invite all young men, everyone capable of bearing arms, to enlist in their ranks.

(3) All French officers, soldiers, sailors, and airmen, wherever they may be, are in duty bound to resist the enemy. If circumstances are such that they are threatened with having to surrender their weapons, planes, or ships, they must at once go to the nearest centre of French resistance, taking with them their weapons, planes, or ships. If no such centre is within reach, they must forthwith make their way to British territory, where they will be under my orders.

(4) A French organization is being set up in Great Britain for the manufacture and purchase of war weapons, and another French organization has been established to undertake research work and study improvements in war material.

Generals, Commanding Officers, and Governors in the Empire, get in touch with me so that we may combine our efforts and save the French territories. In spite of the capitulations to which so many of those responsible for the honour of our flag and the greatness of our country have agreed, freeFrancestill lives. We shall prove this by force of arms.