In September, 1940, General de Gaulle proceeded to Dakar with a small force of the Free French.  Certain British naval units stood by.  On the morning of September 23, he sent an envoy ashore in a launch to parley with the French Governor-General.  The party was fired upon and two officers wounded.  Convinced that only by a major bloodshed to his countrymen could Dakar be forced, De Gaulle withdrew.

De Gaulle at Dakar

As a symbol for the land, sea and air forces which he promptly began to form, General de Gaulle chose the Cross of Lorraine which had been borne by Joan of Arc.  The new flag is here seen displayed by men of a French destroyer that came to Britain after the French capitulation.

Free France Fights Under the Cross of Lorraine

In August, 1940, there was formed in Egypt a Free French Legion, mainly from units of French Colonial Infantry which had refused to follow Vichy in surrendering to the Nazis.  Here is seen part of the ceremony when standards - Union Jack and Free French Banner were presented a Ismailia.