The Role of Free French Troops in D-Day: An Analysis

One often hears about the massive number of Free French soldiers who supposedly landed on D-Day. However, as far as historical records indicate, these reports do not accurately reflect the numbers and circumstances of this operation. Here's a detailed exploration of the Free French forces' involvement in the Normandy landings of June 6, 1944.

Historical Context and the Free French Forces

The Free French Forces (Forces fran?aises de l'Intérieur, or FFII) were an integral part of the resistance against the Axis powers in Europe. Commencing towards the end of the Second World War, the Free French were formed by the French government-in-exile based in London under the leadership of Charles de Gaulle. The Free French Forces included various branches, such as the French Army, Navy, Air Force, and other units. They played a significant role in the liberation of France and the overall Allied campaign against Nazi Germany.

Actual Deployment of Free French Troops

Given the extensive ground operations and the air and sea components involved in D-Day, it is surprising to find that the number of Free French troops participating was relatively small. In total, only approximately 177 Free French troops landed on Sword Beach as part of the land forces on D-Day. These troops, under the command of Jean Kieffer, formed a significant, albeit limited, part of the invasion force.

Additionally, there were other Free French contributions to the D-Day operations:

4 Free French ships, which supported the landings, 8 Free French paratroopers who were dropped behind enemy lines, 3 fighter squadrons, 1 light bomber squadron, 1 heavy bomber squadron.

Given the scale of the Normandy invasion, with more than 160,000 Allied troops landing, the presence of the Free French forces, though not negligible, was quite limited compared to regular Allied units. The majority of the Free French combatants were involved in airborne operations or naval support rather than ground combat.

De Gaulle's Response and Rejection of the Ceremony

The relative paucity of Free French troops who landed on D-Day did not go unnoticed by Charles de Gaulle. General de Gaulle felt a profound sense of humiliation regarding the direct participation of Free French forces. He famously declared: “France was treated like à doormat” (La France a été traitée comme un paillasson) following the D-Day landings. This statement reflects his deep-seated belief that France had not been properly recognized in the planning and execution of the operation.

To illustrate his dissatisfaction, General de Gaulle refused to attend the ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of the D-Day landings in 1964. He informed a minister who encouraged him to attend: “I will not be here.” In another instance, he retorted: “You want me to commemorate their landing that was thé prélude of à second occupation of France! Do not count on me to attend!”

However, it is vital to note that de Gaulle did participate in the ceremony for the 20th anniversary of the Provence landing, which marked a different successful Allied invasion in southern France in August 1944. This stark difference in his participation reflects the General's nuanced views on different military operations and their significance for France.

Conclusion

The Free French Forces, particularly those who landed on D-Day, contributed significantly to the Allied victory. However, their numbers were not as large as often implied. The operation demonstrated a smaller yet important presence of the Free French in the intricate tapestry of the Normandy invasion. Understanding the historical context and the limitations of their deployment provides a clearer picture of their role in the liberation of France.

The accounts of the D-Day landings and the contributions of the Free French Forces continue to be a subject of historical interest, reflecting the complex and often overlooked aspects of World War II.