free french
Proper noun A French political and military organization formed in exile during World War II, following the fall of France in 1940. It was led by General Charles de Gaulle from its base in London and represented continued French resistance against Axis powers, fighting for the liberation of France and the restoration of the French Republic.
The term is used historically to refer to the government-in-exile and its armed forces that opposed the Vichy French regime and Nazi Germany. * The Free French forces participated in key Allied campaigns across North Africa and Europe. * Charles de Gaulle, as leader of the Free French, broadcast appeals for resistance from London. * Historians study the role of the Free French in maintaining France's status among the Allied nations.
- "Fighting French": This term was adopted later in the war (mid-1942 onwards) and is often used synonymously with "Free French" to describe the same movement and its forces.
- Free France: The term for the entity and claim to legitimacy represented by the Free French movement.
- French Committee of National Liberation (FCNL): The political body created in 1943 that unified the Free French with other French factions, evolving into the provisional government of the French Republic.
- Forces Françaises Libres (FFL): The French term for the Free French Forces, the military arm of the movement.
- Vichy France: The opposing, collaborationist government in France that the Free French fought against.
- Fighting French
- France Libre (the original French name)
- The Cross of Lorraine: The symbol adopted by the Free French movement.
- Appeal of 18 June: Refers to Charles de Gaulle's historic radio broadcast from London on 18 June 1940, calling for French resistance, which is considered the founding act of the Free French.
- a French movement during World War II that was organized in London by Charles de Gaulle to fight for the liberation of France from German control and for the restoration of the republic