🇫🇷Charles de Gaulle’s 18 June Appeal: the Spark of the French Resistance
What was the famous 18th June Appeal that forged Charles de Gaulle into a historic leader, and why did it change the course of the war?
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The rain had slackened into drizzle by the time the tall moustachioed man entered Broadcasting House, fog continuing to press against the windows as if it were trying to witness history in the making.
As the man walked through the corridors, ignorant of the raging fight taking place amongst the British political class, the clattering of typewriters rang out, the clocks ticked oppressively, and the smell of tea hung heavily in the atmosphere.
Initially arriving at 18h00 in the evening, the man, so tall that he swallowed the space around him, waited as time ticked and debate raged. Maybe Prime Minister Winston Churchill did like him. Maybe he was the best chance they had.
But what about keeping France on side? What about convincing Pétain’s government to resist the German land grab and to send the French navy away from grabbing German hands? What about the politicians who were being arrested by the new government for attempting to escape France to continue the fight?
Attempting to keep his cool despite his questions regarding the delays, the man eventually received final approval for his speech at 22h00, with the British having decided that the speech would not cause any problems for their diplomatic efforts.
And as the red light was activated, with tension in the air as the technicians held their breaths, the voice of a little-known man crackled over the radio:
And then the French Resistance began
“The leaders who, for many years, were at the head of French armies, have formed a government. This government, alleging our armies to be undone, agreed with the enemy to stop fighting.
Of course, we were subdued by the mechanical, ground and air forces of the enemy. Infinitely more than their number, it was the tanks, the airplanes, the tactics of the Germans which made us retreat.
It was the tanks, the airplanes, the tactics of the Germans that surprised our leaders to the point to bring them there where they are today.
But has the last word been said? Must hope disappear? Is defeat final? No!
Believe me, I speak to you with full knowledge of the facts and tell you that nothing is lost for France. The same means that overcame us can bring us to a day of victory.
For France is not alone! She is not alone! She is not alone! She has a vast Empire behind her. She can align with the British Empire that holds the sea and continues the fight. She can, like England, use without limit the immense industry of United States.
This war is not limited to the unfortunate territory of our country. This war is not finished by the battle of France. This war is a world wide war. All the faults, all the delays, all the suffering, do not prevent there to be, in the world, all the necessary means to one day crush our enemies. Vanquished today by mechanical force, we will be able to overcome in the future by a superior mechanical force.
The destiny of the world is here. I, General de Gaulle, currently in London, invite the officers and the French soldiers who are located in British territory or who would come there, with their weapons or without their weapons, I invite the engineers and the special workers of armament industries who are located in British territory or who would come there, to put themselves in contact with me.
Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished.”
- translation by the Lehrman Institute
De Gaulle’s Unheard Message
While this is highlighted as the beginning of the French Resistance, and the beginning of a long, often acrimonious fight between Charles de Gaulle and everybody else, the reality is that very few French people heard this initial speech, and many who claimed they did were, in fact, dealing with false memories.
Not only was the speech broadcast on the BBC, but the broadcast was also effectively unannounced, and was given by a little-known brigadier general recently made under-secretary for national defence by Paul Reynaud.
There were also some limited immediate impacts at the time: Of the 10,000 French citizens in Britain at the time, only 300 volunteered; and of the 100,000 soldiers, a majority having been evacuated to the UK from either Norway or Dunkirk, only c.7,000 stayed with de Gaulle.
The rest returned to France and were made prisoners of war.
However, saying that this was an unimportant speech or a failure would be wrong.
Firstly, Charles de Gaulle was the first of many politicians to publicly speak out against the armistice with Germany, and outlined many of the arguments for why the war was not yet lost. This will have begun to provide cover and motivation for many who were on the fence, or who were feeling desperate with what had happened.
With tales spreading of the speech, helped by the BBC rebroadcasting it four times, on 19 June and the French and Swiss governments recording the speech in written form, the speech was published in Switzerland on 19 June, and began to spread through word of mouth.
This rapid reaction contributed to the more widely heard 22 June 1940 speech, further spreading his message of resistance, as well as allowing the themes of the speech to spread. It also led to the spread of the so-called ‘London Poster’, which would be reproduced repeatedly and spread across Africa, South America, and France throughout World War 2.
“TO ALL FRENCHMEN!
France has lost a battle!
But France has not lost the war!
Some that have happened into governing positions may have capitulated, ceding to panic, forgetting honour, delivering the country to servitude. However, nothing is lost!Nothing is lost, because this war is a world war. In the free universe, immense forces have yet to get into the fray. One day, those forces will crush the enemy. That day, France must be there for victory. Then she will find her liberty and her greatness again. Such is my goal, my only goal!
This is why I invite all Frenchmen, wherever they may be, to join me in action, in sacrifice, and in hope.
Our motherland is in lethal danger. Let us all fight to save her!
LONG LIVE FRANCE!
18 June 1940
General de Gaulle”
An enduring legacy
L'Appel du 18 juin was the launching pad for the entirety of Charles de Gaulle’s career, and formed the foundations of the mythology that surrounds a foundational and inspiring individual who would eventually go on to form the Fifth French Republic, as well as the thinking of many politicians across the world.
You can make a direct link to De Gaulle’s ideas throughout French political history, particularly on the way in which Europe has developed, the aggressive French position on Strategic Autonomy, and there’s even an argument to be made for the influence that this has even on modern politicians and their policies, such as Emmanuel Macron’s aggressive position on Ukraine.
France’s decision, particularly under Macron, to push for the leadership role in Europe, and also to assume the role as one of the guarantors of European security, also stems from the mentality that Charles de Gaulle put forward.
Yes, even the nuclear umbrella.
If you’d like to learn more about the man, the myth, and the legend that was Charles de Gaulle, or about the politics he developed, then make sure to let me know below.
I can also recommend the excellent book by Julian Jackson called ‘A Certain Idea of France’, which covers De Gaulle’s life and which you can buy using my affiliate link here while supporting
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Yes. Please. More about deGaulle and the French Resistance. What deGaulle spoke resonates with the current state of affairs here in the USA. Macron is embodying these ideals by standing up for Ukraine, Greenland. If we have no leader of that caliber, it's up to each of us to lead in small ways.
By all means, let's hear more about C. de Gaulle.