Free France

Quick Facts: Who was Free France?

Subject:

Free France

Known for:

The government-in-exile representing French resistance against Nazi occupation (1940–1944).

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Free France (French: France libre) was a resistance government claiming to be the legitimate government of France following the dissolution of the Third Republic during World War II. Led by General Charles de Gaulle, Free France was established as a government-in-exile in London in June 1940 after the Fall of France to Nazi Germany. It joined the Allied nations in fighting Axis forces with the (Forces françaises libres) ("Free French Forces"; FFF), supported the Resistance in Nazi-occupied France, known as the French Forces of the Interior, and gained strategic footholds in several French colonies in Africa. Following the defeat of the Third Republic by Nazi Germany, Marshal Philippe Pétain negotiated an armistice and established a German client state known as Vichy France. Opposed to the idea of an armistice, de Gaulle fled to Britain and from there broadcast the Appeal of 18 June (Appel du 18 juin) exhorting the French people to resist the Nazis and join the Free French Forces.

Career & Major Achievements

On 27 October 1940, the Empire Defense Council (Conseil de défense de l'Empire)—later the French National Committee (Comité national français or CNF)—formed to govern French territories in central Africa, Asia, and Oceania that had heeded the 18 June call. Initially, with the exception of French possessions in the Pacific, India, and Equatorial Africa, all the territories of the French colonial empire rejected de Gaulle's appeal and declared their loyalty to Marshal Pétain and the Vichy government. It was only progressively, often with the decisive military intervention of the Allies, that Free France took over more Vichy possessions, securing the majority of colonies after November 1942. The Free French fought both Axis and Vichy troops and served in several major campaigns, from North Africa to Indochina. The Free French Navy operated as an auxiliary force to the Royal Navy and, in the North Atlantic, to the Royal Canadian Navy.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Free French detachments also served in the Royal Air Force, the Soviet Air Force, and the British Special Air Service. Later, larger commands were established directly under the control of the government-in-exile. On 13 July 1942, "Free France" was officially renamed Fighting France (France combattante) to mark the struggle against the Axis both externally and within occupied France. Exile officially ended after the reconquest of North Africa, when the Free French government relocated from London to Algiers. From there, the French Committee of National Liberation (Comité français de Libération nationale, CFLN) was formed as the provisional government of all French, uniting the disparate forces that opposed the Axis and their collaborators.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1940: 1940 Milestone — Led by General Charles de Gaulle, Free France was established as a government-in-exile in London in June 1940 after the Fall of France to Nazi Germany.
2. 1942: 1942 Milestone — It was only progressively, often with the decisive military intervention of the Allies, that Free France took over more Vichy possessions, securing the majority of colonies after November 1942.

Notable Quotes by Free France

“France libre was established as a government-in-exile in London in June 1940 after the Fall of France to Nazi Germany.”

“From there, broadcast the Appeal of 18 June (Appel du 18 juin) exhorting the French people to resist the Nazis and join the Free French Forces.” (1940)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Free France

True or False: “The term 'Free France' was officially defined by the French government as applying only to those who served with the Allies between the armistice in 1940 and August 1, 1943.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While a ministerial instruction of July 1953 provided a narrow definition, the term generally describes any French individual or unit fighting against Axis forces after the June 1940 armistice.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abbas Kiarostami — Historical peer (Born in 1940) (1940): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Abdurrahman Wahid — Historical peer (Born in 1940) (1940): Influential Indonesian politician, Islamic leader, and fourth President known for pluralism.
• Abdülmecid II — Historical peer (Died in 1944) (1944): Last Ottoman Caliph and prominent Turkish aesthete, head of the Osmanoğlu family.
• Agustín Barrios — Historical peer (Died in 1944) (1944): Paraguayan virtuoso classical guitarist and composer, celebrated for his prolific works.
• Abdulsalami Abubakar — Historical peer (Born in 1942) (1942): Retired Nigerian Army General who oversaw the transition to democracy in 1999.
• Alexander Belyaev — Historical peer (Died in 1942) (1942): Pioneering Soviet science fiction writer, known as 'Russia's Jules Verne'

Frequently Asked Questions about Free France