Charles De Gaulle - Appeal of 18 June

18 June 1940, four days after German armies entered Paris, General Charles de Gaulle spoke to the French people through the BBC radio.

His very first speech was not recorded by the BBC sound engineers but a transcript does exist as a French newspaper published the speech the next day and De Gaulle also included it in his memoirs years later.

Here are highlights: "The leaders of the French armies have formed a government and have decided to cease the fight. We were subdued by the mechanical ground and air forces and tactics of the ennemies...

...But France is not alone! We have a vast empire that can be allied with the British Empire which holds the seas, and like England, we can use the vast industrial resources of the United States. This war is a world war and there are forces in the world that can defeat our ennemy!

...I, General de Gaulle, invite all the French to listen to me and to follow me. I invite all French officers and soldiers who happen to be on British soil to get in touch with me and rally me. The flame of the Resistence must not and shall not be extinguished!"