Top 10 Interesting Facts about Charles de Gaulle

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Charles de Gaulle

Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle’s name is synonymous with 20th-century French history. He was the president of France, an Army officer, and the leader of Free French during World War 2.

De Gaulle was born on 22 November 1890 in the Northern part of France. He was the third born child of Henri de Gaulle a professor of History and Jeanne de Gaulle a descendant of a wealthy family from Lille. 

Charles de Gaulle is one of the French great leaders, his contributions had a big impact on the recent history of France.

Here are the top 10 interesting facts about Charles de Gaulle.

1. Charles de Gaulle had a Special Interest in the French History

Perhaps due to the French political dynamics during his childhood, coupled with his family’s historical background. Charles became interested in French history from an early age.

His father encouraged historical and philosophical debate between his children during their free time at home. Through the debates, de Gaulle grew familiar with French history.

His grandfather was also a historian, and his grandmother wrote poems about early Christianity.

All these factors contributed to his great interest in the history of France. He particularly had a special interest in the story of the French capitulation by Germans at Sedan in 1870.

2. Charles de Gaulle was Wounded in the World War 1

Photo source: Wikimedia

Towering at over six feet tall, Charles de Gaulle was a model soldier in the early 1900s. He enlisted as a French army cadet at St Cyr military academy in 1909, and later joined the 33rd Infantry Regiment of the French Army, based at Arras in1910.

When the first world war broke out in 1914, his 33rd Infantry Regiment, one of the best fighting units in France, was immediately deployed into war against German advancing units at Dinant.

Charles De Gaulle was a gallant soldier, who rose to the captain of the army. In 1916 he was wounded and was taken prisoner by the German soldiers 

3. Charles de Gaulle was a war Prisoner

On March 2, 1916, in the battle of Verdun,  Charles De Gaulle was wounded and was captured by the Germans, after he passed out from the effects of poison gas.

He spent 32 months in different P.O.W German camps; but he spent most of his time in the Ingolstadt Fortress, where the treatment of prisoners was relatively satisfactory.

De Gaulle was transferred to a maximum-security prison camp after five unsuccessful escape attempts. He remained in captivity until the war was over in 1918 when he was released. 

4. Charles de Gaulle got Married after First World War

Photo Source: Wikimedia

While attending a tea party organized by his friends on October 20, 1920, Charles de Gaulle met his future wife Yvonne for the first time.

On April 6, 1921, Charles married Yvonne in a religious ceremony held at the Notre Dame Church in Calais city.

Following their marriage, the young couple settled in a modest Paris apartment and lived a relatively quiet life. The couple had three children together.

5. Charles de Gaulle was an Army commander in World War 2

Photo by Office of War Information from Wikimedia

At the outbreak of World War II, de Gaulle who was now a full Colonel in the Army was put in command of the French Fifth Army‘s tanks in Alsace.

De Gaulle was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general on 1 June 1940 and was later appointed as Under-Secretary of State for National Defense and War.

 After France lost the war to Germany, Charles de Gaulle fled to London. From there he continued to encourage French resistance movements through Radio broadcasts. 

6. Charles de Gaulle was the Leader of Free French in Exile

While in exile Charles de Gaulle’s radio broadcasts to the resistance movements reached many parts of the French territories. The broadcasts helped to rally French people and soldiers to continue with the resistance against the German occupation.

This earned him a lot of respect and admiration from the French people. Although in exile he became the voice and the leader of the free French people’s resistance movements.

7. Charles de Gaulle was Sentenced to Death in Absentia

Photo by W. B. Edwards from Wikimedia

The armistice between France and Germany was signed on 21 June 1940, and immediately De   Gaulle denounced the agreement. The New French government reacted by annulling his promotion to brigadier-general.

On August 2, 1940, a French military court tried and sentenced him in absentia to death, deprivation of military rank, and confiscation of his properties.

At that time Charles de Gaulle was living in London, where he continued to rally French resistance movements through regular Radio Broadcasts.

8. Charles de Gaulle Survived Several Assassination Attempts

During his military and political career, Charles de Gaulle survived several assassination attempts. The first attempt of his life was by German snipers in Paris in 1945, a few months after he had returned from exile.

De Gaulle was targeted for assassination again on 22 August 1962 by the Organisation Armée Secrète (OAS), in retaliation for his Algerian initiatives. He and his wife survived the attack.

9. Charles de Gaulle served as French President

Photo Source: Wikimedia

Charles de Gaulle was elected as the President of the Republic of France On December 21, 1958, after the previous government led by René Coty had collapsed. De Gaulle oversaw tough economic measures to revitalize the country in his first term in office.

During his second term, De Gaulle encouraged trade and cultural relations with the Soviet Union and the countries of Eastern Europe. He also recognized the People’s Republic of China in January 1964.

10. Charles de Gaulle Resigned From the Presidency

De Gaulle resigned from the presidency on 28th April 1969, following the rejection of his proposed reform of the Senate and local governments in a nationwide referendum.

De Gaulle retired to his nine-acre country estate in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, 120 miles southeast of Paris. 

He died in his home On 9 November 1970, less than two weeks before his 80th birthday.