Free France

This article is about the specific polity Free France and therefore only includes events related to its territory and not to its possessions or colonies. If you are interested in the possession, this is the link to the article about the nation which includes all possessions as well as all the different incarnations of the nation.

If you are looking for the page with the statistics about this polity you can find it here:All Statistics

Was a political entity that claimed to be the legitimate government of France following the dissolution of the Third Republic. It ended when the Provisional Government of the French Republic was established on territories in France reconquered from Germany.

Summary

Free France, formally the French Committee of National Liberation and later the Provisional Government of the French Republic, was the government-in-exile of France during World War II, established in opposition to the collaborationist Vichy regime.

The movement was founded in 1940 by Charles de Gaulle, a French general who refused to accept France's surrender to Nazi Germany. De Gaulle established the Free French forces in London and worked to organize the French Resistance against the Vichy regime.

Over time, the Free French movement grew in strength and legitimacy. It received support from the Allies, and eventually controlled colonies and territories around the world. In 1943, the Free French merged with the French Resistance to form the French Committee of National Liberation, which functioned as the government-in-exile.

As the Allied forces liberated France in 1944-1945, the Provisional Government of the French Republic under de Gaulle was recognized as the legitimate government of France, replacing the Vichy regime. This paved the way for the restoration of the French Republic after the war.

The Free France movement played a crucial role in maintaining French national identity and ultimately restoring French sovereignty during the German occupation. De Gaulle emerged as a towering figure, cementing his status as a French national hero.

Establishment

October 1943: Allied forces gain complete control of Corsica as the enemy withdraws from Bastia area. Participating in the explusion of Germans were French, Moroccan and American troops.

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

1. World War II

Was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945 (it started sooner in certain regions) between the Axis Powers (mainly Germany, Japan and Italy) and the Allies (mainly the Soviet Union, the U.S.A., the U.K., China and France). It was the war with more fatalities in history. The war in Asia began when Japan invaded China on July 7, 1937. The war in Europe began when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. The war ended with the complete defeat of the Axis powers, which were occupied by the Allies.

1.1.World War II (Western Front)

Was the Western European theatre of World War II.

June 1944: Following the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944 and the liberation of France later that year, the Free French Provisional government of the French Republic (GPRF) was installed as the new national government, led by de Gaulle.

1.1.1.Siegfried Line campaign

Was a phase in the Western European campaign of World War II which involved actions near the German defensive Siegfried Line.

1.1.1.1.Clearing the Channel Coast

Was a World War II operation undertaken by the First Canadian Army in August 1944 to capture the French coastline along the Strait of Dover.

May 1944: Allied forces arrive at the outskirts of Dunkirk.

1.2.World War II (Italian Front)

Was the Italian Front of World War II.

1.2.1.Italian Campaign (World War II)

Was the military operation of the Allies to free italy from the forces of Germany and its puppet state, the Italian Social Republic.

1.2.1.1.Free France conquest of Corsica

Was the liberation of Corsica from Axis forces.