Free French

Free French

French movement to continue warfare against Germany after France's 1940 defeat in World War II. Led by Charles de Gaulle in exile in London, the Free French Forces gained power in 1942 with the growing underground Resistance movement in France and the defection of many Vichy France troops stationed in North Africa. After a power struggle with Henri Honore Giraud, commander in chief of French forces in North Africa, de Gaulle succeeded by 1944 in controlling the entire French war effort. The 300,000 Free French forces took part in the Allied invasions of southern France and Normandy (see Normandy Campaign) and were the first Allied troops to liberate Paris.

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Free French 

(La France Libre), until July 1942, the official name of the World War II movement under General C. de Gaulle; its goal was the liberation of France from the fascist German invaders and their minions. In July 1942, as the anti-Hitlerite struggle gained momentum, the Free French took the name “Fighting French” (La France Combattante). The headquarters of the Free French was in London.