Charles de Gaulle's Last Parade

90 Heads of State at Military Memorial for French Citizen

French troops from all units carrying torches in parade on Esplande des Invalides tonight.

A short while later, she commented on traffic; specifically about the closing of many of Paris' main thoroughfares on account of an pre-programmed afternoon student's demo on the Left Bank, but also for ceremonies to mark the 25th anniversary of Charles de Gaulle's death, to take place on the Esplanade des Invalides. Since certain newspaper unions had been on strike yesterday, this was news to me.

The armored scout wagon that carried Charkes de Gaulle's coffin 25 years ago today.

I bought two papers before nine; one had a paragraph about an evening TV special on the event, and the other had nothing. In fact, the anniversary figured on the front pages of only two Paris newspapers today.

On the 18th of June, 1940, the 49 year old General Charles de Gaulle, broadcasting on radio from London, began, "Moi, le general de Gaulle..." and continued for less than 300 words - to encourage 'Frenchmen and French women' to continue to resist the fight against the invaders, who had occupied Paris on 14. June.

Very few people in France heard that historic broadcast at the time, and almost none of them had ever heard of this General de Gaulle. As The Paris Pages readers will know, this year marks the 50th Anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe; and most readers will also recognize the name of Charles de Gaulle.

To make a long, ghastly story short, on the 19th of August 1944, 3000 Paris flics seized the main police station; the resistance, under the umbrella name of FFI, began popping away at the enemy; on the 25th General Leclerc arrived with the French 2nd Armored Division, followed by the American General Patton and the US 4th Infantry Division; and the invaders of Paris agreed to leave without blowing the place to smithereens.

By this time everybody knew General de Gaulle's name, and Paris was delirious with joy on his arrival in the city on August 26th. However history is not predictable, and after the war voters declined the services of General de Gaulle and he retired to civilian life and relative obscurity.

More than a decade later, France was in trouble again, so Charles de Gaulle was summoned back from obscurity. The Fifth Republic was created, and he became its first President. He fixed the problems again, but hung around in office for a decade until the French got bored with him - and everybody in the country went on strike, for an entire spring.

Charles de Gaulle got the message and retired back to his residence in the country; and since nothing much bad happened in France afterwards, he stayed there until he died, 25 years ago today.

So it is a bit ironic that tonight there was a monster military memorial staged on the Esplanade des Invalides, which is a fairly big tomb dedicated to the memory of French generals who became Marshals of Armies, and even of one who was once imperial Emperor - of a Republic, no less.

The final shape of the ceremony tonight, in front of the Invalides - a 'Cross of Lorraine'.

Nevertheless, 90 heads of the world's states were present in the dark tonight to honor his memory - supposedly the largest such gathering ever in Paris. It was also the last official ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the end of hostilities of World War II.

Most historians agree that Charles de Gaulle was a talented officer, a general with a brilliant aptitude for tactics, and determined and authoritative although reluctant politician.

History, on the other hand, tells us that Charles de Gaulle was merely the best citizen that France could have wished for. It is of no matter now how much he delighted in successfully poking sticks in other people's spokes.

Return to Richard Erickson's Paris Journal

See also Paris Pages Special Exposition:
Paris Libéré ! Commemorating the 50 anniversary of the Liberation of Paris.

Updated 11/95