Contact Us

Historical context

First England, and afterwards France, declared war on Germany on September 3rd, 1939 after Hitler's troops invaded Poland. "The Phony War" that ensued came to an end with the German offensive on the Western Front on May 10th, 1940. Fifteen days later, Belgium capitulated and, on June 6th, the German forces broke through the Franco-British defensive lines. On June 14th, the forces of the Reich marched into Paris.

On June 16th, 1940, Prime Minister Paul Reynaud resigned and was replaced by Marshal Pétain. The same day, General De Gaulle, who had been Under-Secretary of State for National Defense and War since June 5th, decided to make a trip to England.

Accompanied only by his aide-de-camp, Geoffroy de Courcel, Charles De Gaulle arrived in London the morning of June 17th. Soon afterwards, De Gaulle wrote, "Facing the terrifying void caused by the general renunciation, I felt that it was my duty to assume the responsibility for France". This will to assume the responsibility for France's future is what ensured the unity of the Resistance Movement from General Koenig and General Leclerc to Jean Moulin and Pierre Brossolette.

As France underwent a military disaster without precedent, on June 18th, 1940, the French People fell into despair as all seemed to point to an irreparable defeat: a routed army, the territory invaded, the institutions of the Republic about to fall apart, natural resources destroyed and hundreds of thousands of prisoners in the hands of the enemy.

Throughout the unusually pleasant months of Spring, the roads and highways of France were overflowing with all the misery of the French people. The nation was sinking with its armies and its parliament, its traditions and its great men.

Such was the outcome of a catastrophe without precedent in the history of France. For many it was, unfortunately, the bitter hour of defeat and withdrawal, but for others, whose strength came from this defeat, it was the hour of redemption, and a time to muster up the strength needed for victory.

And it was at this time that General De Gaulle's solitary voice rose out from the deathly silence, showing the French people the promise of as yet untapped opportunities, and encouraging them to move forward in the battle for Freedom.

However, everything had to be created from zero, as De Gaulle explained in his War Memoirs: "As for myself, who pretended to climb this difficult slope, I was nothing in the beginning. Not a shadow of a force or any kind of organization was there to support me. In France I had no one to vouch for me, and no fame. Abroad, nothing to my credit, nor any justification. But this very lack of resources was what drew the path for me to follow."

The Appeal of June 18th, which aimed at rallying all of the French values and energy personified by De Gaulle, announced the creation of the Order of the Liberation.

It was a cry of hope in the future, springing forth from the depths of the French Soul to create an elite group that would fight to free the land "honorably and victoriously."

The rallying of French Equatorial Africa in late August of 1940, the defeat at the gates of Dakar the following month and the renewal of the battle to conquer Gabon led the Leader of the Free French to consider the creation of a new insignia, a special reward for those who would do something truly remarkable in the effort to free France and the French Empire.

For further information :

Chronology of France 1940-1945

Last updated: October 28th, 2006
Contact the webmaster