Sarkozy is visiting London to bask in the heroism of De Gaulle...

Daily Mail ^ | June 18, 2010 | Andrew Roberts

[C19fan]

Early evening and the two-star French general, wearing a uniform with leggings and polished boots, was heading in a taxi to the BBC's Broadcasting House headquarters in London. The previous day he had fled his country and flown to England as his government sought an armistice with the advancing German troops. In his hand was the typewritten final draft of the speech he was to broadcast after Winston Churchill offered him the chance to address the people of France while exiled in London.

[iowamark]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_of_18_June
http://lehrmaninstitute.org/history/index.html
“”The leaders who, for many years, have been at the head of the French armies have formed a government. This government, alleging the defeat of our armies, has made contact with the enemy in order to stop the fighting. It is true, we were, we are, overwhelmed by the mechanical, ground and air forces of the enemy. Infinitely more than their number, it is the tanks, the airplanes, the tactics of the Germans which are causing us to retreat. It was the tanks, the airplanes, the tactics of the Germans that surprised our leaders to the point of bringing them to where they are today.

“But has the last word been said? Must hope disappear? Is defeat final? No!

“Believe me, I who am speaking to you with full knowledge of the facts, and who tell you that nothing is lost for France. The same means that overcame us can bring us victory one day. For France is not alone! She is not alone! She is not alone! She has a vast Empire behind her. She can align with the British Empire that holds the sea and continues the fight. She can, like England, use without limit the immense industry of the United States.

“This war is not limited to the unfortunate territory of our country. This war is not over as a result of the Battle of France. This war is a worldwide war. All the mistakes, all the delays, all the suffering, do not alter the fact that there are, in the world, all the means necessary to crush our enemies one day. Vanquished today by mechanical force, in the future we will be able to overcome by a superior mechanical force. The fate of the world depends on it.

” I, General de Gaulle, currently in London, invite the officers and the French soldiers who are located in British territory or who might end up here, with their weapons or without their weapons, I invite the engineers and the specialised workers of the armament industries who are located in British territory or who might end up here, to put themselves in contact with me.

“Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished. Tomorrow, as today, I will speak on the radio from London.””

[iowamark]

It is easy to criticize de Gaulle as a relic of the past. However, he was both a patriot and a Christian. We should hope that his best qualities will not be forgotten.