De Gaulle to Eden: 8/5/1942
Historical Context
During the writing of this letter, Free France, renamed 13 July 1942 to Fighting France, was situated in only a small portion of French North Africa, as Metropolitan France was split between German Occupation and the Vichy Regime. Charles de Gaulle was looking to extend his military influence in order to work towards the liberation of France, but needed aid from Great Britain to achieve this. It was essential that Fighting France achieve cooperation from Great Britain, as the United States did not recognize the sovereignty of Fighting France, leaving Great Britain as de Gaulle's strongest ally.
Letter Summary
In this letter, de Gaulle writes to the current Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs, Anthony Eden, criticizing Great Britain for carrying out certain supply missions in Metropolitan French territory outside of his authority. He expresses his disagreement to Anthony Eden in saying that he requires more cooperation from Great Britain in order to properly achieve French liberation from Germany.
References:
"Avril 1942." France-Libre. Fondation De La France Libre, 8 Apr. 2009. Web. <http://www.france-
libre.net/avril-1942/>.
Carlton, David. Anthony Eden, a Biography. London: A. Lane, 1981. Print.
Crowdy, Terry French Resistance Fighter France's Secret Army, London: Opsrey 2007 page 17.
Eisenhower, Dwight. Crusade In Europe, pp. 99–105, 107–110. New York: Doubleday, 1948.
France Combattante, and Société Des Editions De La France Libre. Journal Officiel De La France
Libre. Lois Et Décrets (1941). Web.
Gaulle, Charles De, Marius-François Guyard, and Jean-Luc. Barré. Mémoires. Paris]: Gallimard,
2000. Print. Bibliothèque De La Pléiade ; 465.
Mackenzie, S.P. (2014). The Second World War in Europe: Second Edition. Routledge. pp. 54–55.
Moorehead, Carolina. 2011. A Train in Winter: An Extraordinary Story of Women, Friendship and
Resistance in Occupied France, New York: Harper Collins, pp. 64, 307.
Go to Letters Homepage