Appeal of 22 June

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Appeal of June 22 by Charles de Gaulle , translated by Wikisource

22 June 1940

The French government now knows, after having requested an armistice, the conditions dictated by our enemy. These include the complete demobilisation of the French land, sea and air forces; the surrender of our armaments; the total occupation of French territory; and the complete reliance of the French government on Germany and Italy. One could therefore call this armistice not merely a capitulation, but rather an enslavement.

Many Frenchmen remain who accept neither capitulation nor servitude, for reasons of honour, common sense and the best interest of our homeland.

I say honour! Because France has committed to its Allies to make no separate peace. While the Allies continue to wage war, the French government does not have the right to render aid to the enemy. The Polish government, the Norwegian government, the Dutch government, the Belgian government, the Luxembourgish government—although chased from their lands, they understood their duties.

I say common sense! Because it is absurd to consider the war lost. Yes, we have suffered a great defeat. Poor military organization, mistakes in the conduct of operations and the government's failure of will-power during these recent battles have caused us to lose the Battle of France. But we still retain a vast empire, an intact navy, much treasure. We still have Allies, who possess immense resources and who dominate the seas. We still have the gigantic potential of American industry. The same conditions that sent us to defeat at the hands of five thousand aircraft and six thousand tanks, may one day hand us victory with twenty thousand aircraft and twenty thousand tanks.

I say the best interest of our homeland! Because this war is not simply between France and Germany, decided by one battle. This is a world war. None can predict whether the neutral nations of today will remain so tomorrow, nor whether Germany's allies will stay with her always. If the forces of liberty finally triump over those of servitude, what will be the destiny of a France which submitted to the enemy?

Honour, common sense and the best interest of our homeland command all the free French to continue to fight, wherever they are and however they are capable. It is therefore necessary to unite the largest possible groups of French forces wherever this can be done. All who can be so united—both military forces and military industrial capacity—must be organised.

I, General de Gaulle, am assuming here in England this national task.

I invite all French land, sea and air forces, I invite the engineers and armament workers who find themselves in British territory to unite around me. I invite the officers and soldiers, the marines and aviators, wherever they find themselves now, to put themselves in contact with me. I invite all Frenchmen who wish to remain free to listen to me and follow me.

Long live free France, with honour and independence!

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