ESTABLISHING THE FREE FRENCH FORCES
“...alone and stripped of everything, like a man on the beach proposing to swim across the ocean.” -de Gaulle on leaving for London June 16, 1939
Charles de Gaulle arrived in London on June 17, 1939. His goal was to save France. “He called on all
Frenchmen on British soil to get in touch with him. ...A new France- Free France- was born.” De Gaulle
inspired the French people to unite for their nation. Eventually he became the symbol of France's freedom.
De Gaulle created the enlistment form to join the Free French Forces, which required them swear an oath to
General de Gaulle. His reason was that the soldiers needed to fight for “a powerful leader of mythic
proportions.” He picked the Cross of Lorraine as the symbol of the Free French Forces. This is the symbol of
the Patron Saint of France, Joan of Arc. Very few men joined de Gaulle in the first year. By July 14, 1940,
only 7,000 enlisted. The English were generous to de Gaulle and his Free French Forces. “Dozens of
unknown widows sent him their wedding bands so he could make use of the gold.” (Banfield 36-39)
Frenchmen on British soil to get in touch with him. ...A new France- Free France- was born.” De Gaulle
inspired the French people to unite for their nation. Eventually he became the symbol of France's freedom.
De Gaulle created the enlistment form to join the Free French Forces, which required them swear an oath to
General de Gaulle. His reason was that the soldiers needed to fight for “a powerful leader of mythic
proportions.” He picked the Cross of Lorraine as the symbol of the Free French Forces. This is the symbol of
the Patron Saint of France, Joan of Arc. Very few men joined de Gaulle in the first year. By July 14, 1940,
only 7,000 enlisted. The English were generous to de Gaulle and his Free French Forces. “Dozens of
unknown widows sent him their wedding bands so he could make use of the gold.” (Banfield 36-39)
“You can do it because you are seated on a solid state, an assembled nation, a united Empire...But me! Where are my resources? ...I am too poor to be able to bow.” -de Gaulle’s response to Churchill’s request for de Gaulle to be more helpful
“You think I am interested in England winning the war. I am not. I am only interested in French victory.” -Charles de Gaulle