It was a time of despair and chaos, and France was facing the most severe test in its history. The iron hooves of Nazi Germany trampled through the land of France, leaving behind a trail of ruins and heavy sorrow. However, in this desperate place, a seed of hope is quietly sprouting, heralding the beginning of a magnificent struggle.
On the very day of the fall of Paris, a French officer staged an elaborate drama at the airport. He was Charles de Gaulle, a general who was relatively unknown in public, but whose name was about to leave an immortal chapter in the history of France and the world. In full view, he was supposed to see off a British general, but made a bold choice at the last minute - he suddenly jumped on a plane to Britain, leaving behind a shocked and confused crowd.
The capitulation of France
France in June 1940 was in an unprecedented predicament. As the French government, represented by Petain, announced its unconditional surrender to Nazi Germany, the whole country seemed to be overshadowed. The rapid collapse of the military power of a country that once dominated the continent in Europe under the britzkrieg of the German blitzkrieg was a sudden nightmare for the French people.
The German blitzkrieg tactics showed unprecedented efficiency and destructive power, and the German tank and mechanized units quickly moved through the Ardennes Forest, a terrain that was considered a natural defense and did not seem to be in any way for the Germans. Subsequently, the Germans took advantage of their air superiority to deliver devastating strikes on military and civilian targets in France. Under such an offensive, the French army seemed overstretched and powerless.
Under these circumstances, the French government's decision to surrender, although it was made under extremely unfavorable circumstances, still caused widespread shock and unease in France. In the streets of France, people look at each other, unable to believe that the country that once defeated Germany in the First World War has now had to submit to the iron heel of the Nazis.
As news of the surrender spread, confusion and pessimism began to spread across France. Many French people are beginning to worry about what will happen in the future, they fear more damage to their homes, they fear for the safety of their loved ones, they fear that their freedoms and rights will be taken away. In some cities, people are stockpiling food and necessities in preparation for possible emergencies. And in the countryside, many peasants began to hide their grain and livestock from requisitioning by the occupying forces.
At the government level, the decision to surrender was also hotly debated. Some government officials and military generals believed that even if the situation was extremely unfavorable, France should continue to resist until the last moment. They could not accept such a decision to surrender, considering it a betrayal of the tradition of heroic resistance in the history of France. However, under strong pressure from the German army, these voices ultimately failed to change the decision of the French government.
Charles de Gaulle's decision
At such a turning point in history, the actions of General Charles de Gaulle became a legendary beginning in the later resistance movement. The scene at the airport may seem like an ordinary send-off ceremony to unsuspecting onlookers, but it is actually an elaborate plan for de Gaulle to flee to England to continue his fight against Nazi Germany's aggression.
On that day, the sky was overcast and the atmosphere at the airport was extremely tense. With the French government announcing its surrender, the whole country was plunged into uncertainty and chaos. For de Gaulle, however, this day was a moment of firm conviction and his decision to continue the struggle. His appearance at the airport, ostensibly to see off General Spears on his way to England, was actually for a secret escape of his own.
Charles de Gaulle and Spears met on the runway side of the airport, surrounded by several French officers and British diplomats. There was an indescribable tension in the air, although all the movements were disguised under a courtesy greeting and handshake. General Spears said goodbye to everyone present one by one, and each handshake was extraordinarily heavy. And when he finally walked up to de Gaulle, the interaction between the two exceeded all expectations.
General Spears did not immediately turn around and get into the plane, but stayed for a moment, and his exchange with de Gaulle went beyond the usual polite words. Then, just when everyone thought it was just an ordinary goodbye, Spears made a sudden move, and he grabbed de Gaulle's arm with force, almost silently transmitting some kind of urgency. Then, under the astonished gaze of everyone, General Spears decisively pulled de Gaulle towards the plane.
决定前夕
De Gaulle's action was not just a simple departure, but a moment when a well-thought-out plan was implemented. In his secret meeting with the British ambassador, de Gaulle had already revealed his intentions - to flee to London using the plane that Churchill had prepared for him. Behind this plan was his deep concern for the future of France and his unwavering determination to resist the aggression of Nazi Germany.
The scene of de Gaulle being pulled into the plane by General Spears suddenly and decisively on the runway of the airport was undoubtedly a shock to those present. Many of them were colleagues and supporters of de Gaulle, who were saddened by the surrender of France and filled with uncertainty and fear for the future. However, they also know that at a time when the survival of a nation is at stake, everyone's actions have far-reaching implications. De Gaulle's decision, although it caught them by surprise, also showed an extraordinary courage and determination.
The area around the airport was closely monitored by French soldiers and police, who carried out the orders of the surrendering government to ensure order and safety. However, in such a tense and unusual environment, de Gaulle's behavior seemed to break an invisible shackle, and his "exodus" was not only a physical departure, but also a spiritual struggle and declaration.
As the planes roared, de Gaulle and General Spears disappeared into the clouds, leaving behind a crowd of mixed emotions. Some silently stared at the sky, others whispered conversations, discussing what had just happened. Although they could not predict the future, this action of de Gaulle undoubtedly planted a seed in their hearts, a hope of possible victory against the future.
De Gaulle's escape, although it seemed like a desperate venture at the time, was in fact based on a thoughtful consideration of the future of France and Europe. He understood that under the surrender of France and the iron heel of Nazi Germany, the only way to find an opportunity to regain freedom and dignity for France was to escape from this occupied land.
In Britain, de Gaulle will have the opportunity to meet with the leaders of the Allied countries to rally more support and resources for the cause of freedom in France. His "exodus" was not an escape, but an attempt to continue the struggle on a broader stage and to gain the possibility of victory for France. This action, while fraught with risks and uncertainties, also reflected de Gaulle's vision as a soldier and statesman and his unyielding belief in the future of France.
Letter to the French People of June 18
General de Gaulle, arriving in England, wasted no time in soaking up the slackness or security of fleeing France. Instead, he sprang into action, issuing a shocking manifesto through the mainstream media in the United Kingdom, "Letter to the French People of June 18". This declaration was not only an expression of de Gaulle's personal will to resist, but also a strong statement to the world that France would continue to resist.
In this manifesto, de Gaulle made no secret of his grim assessment of the current situation, making it clear that France had indeed suffered defeat in this battle with Germany. But he also stressed that this was only a defeat in one battle, not the end of the entire war. De Gaulle's rhetoric was firm and forceful, and he appealed to all the French people not to give up hope because of a momentary defeat and not to think that war had lost all its meaning.
More importantly, de Gaulle put forward a forward-looking vision in his manifesto: it was necessary for France to regroup its forces and, together with allies such as Great Britain, to build a solid international front of resistance against German aggression. His appeal not only pointed out a possible bright path for the French people, but also demonstrated de Gaulle's deep understanding and insight into the strategic situation.
The publication of the Letter to the French People of 18 June quickly spread widely in Britain and the areas under its control, and subsequently spread to occupied France and the rest of the world through various means. The impact of this manifesto far exceeded de Gaulle's own expectations, and it not only inspired those who still aspired to fight in France and abroad, but also became an important spiritual pillar of the French resistance.
Every sentence in the manifesto is full of inspirational power. De Gaulle appealed to the French people to have faith that the revival of France was not out of reach. His words sowed seeds of hope in the hearts of the French, who were deeply troubled by frustration and despair, and showed them a way forward in the darkness.
De Gaulle's declaration showed the world his firmness and courage as a leader. At a time when the French government capitulated and the country faced an unprecedented crisis, de Gaulle did not choose silence or escape, but chose to stand up and use his voice and actions to inspire and unite those who are still willing to fight for the freedom and dignity of France.
The War of Resistance in Free France
De Gaulle quickly changed his role, from a political asylum seeker to a leading figure in the Free French movement. His change in identity was accompanied by a strong commitment to the future of freedom in France, a commitment that was manifested not only in political declarations, but also in actual military operations. The armed forces of the "Free France" led by General de Gaulle became an important force in the fight against Nazi German aggression.
The armed struggle of the Free French began in Africa. There, de Gaulle and his followers faced multiple challenges: they had to garner support in an extremely complex international environment, while confronting the power of Vichy France and the armies of Germany and its allies. In this series of battles, the troops of the Free French showed incredible courage and perseverance. They fought many times against the Axis forces in Libya, Morocco, Algeria and other places, and despite the difficulties of material shortages and insufficient troops, they worked tirelessly to gradually advance the Allies.
Subsequently, de Gaulle's horizons expanded to Europe, especially the resistance in the Balkans. Through the power of the Free France, he supported the local resistance groups and fought against the German occupation forces. These activities, although small in scale, played a key role in weakening the German military and distracting it. These actions of de Gaulle demonstrated his vision and strategy as a military commander, and also showed the important position of the Free French forces in the European anti-fascist war.
In 1944, as the Allies prepared to open a second theater in western Europe, the forces of Charles de Gaulle and the Free French played a crucial role. The Normandy landings, one of the largest amphibious operations in history, witnessed the heroism of the Free French army. They were not only part of the operation, but also played a decisive role in key battles such as the liberation of Paris. The bravery and sacrifice of the Free French troops made an indelible contribution to the eventual liberation of mainland France.
Reference: Charles de Gaulle Biography