The Free French Forces’ fights from Senegal to Eritrea

Abstract

Although Charles de Gaulle is one of the most recognized French statesmen in modern French history, the activity of the Free French Forces led by himself throughout World War II, which contributed to the rise of this extraordinary character, is very little known even by historians. Therefore, this study offers an attempt to fill this void by presenting the ascension of the general on the political scene and of the first deployment of the Free French Forces in the more or less forgotten African theatre of operations.
In June 1940, General de Gaulle went to England to continue the combat on the Axis forces where he created the Free French Forces which pledged their support. Of the tens of thousands of French soldiers evacuated from France, only a few thousands chose to continue the fight by joining de Gaulle’s army in London. The General supported by Churchill tried to persuade the French colonies to join the Allied cause and some territories followed him. At the same time, he was not be able to convince the Vichy forces at Dakar to change sides so his army suffered a defeat in the vicinity of the city. Then, the Free French Forces had to conquer Gabon fighting against their compatriots, which allowed the creation of French Equatorial France. Later the Free French Brigade of the Orient took part in the campaign of Eritrea where the Free French soldiers contributed to the Allied victory.
Their activity was very valuable from the political point of view for it consolidated the position of General de Gaulle’s movement and France could end the war among the victors of the conflict.