Headquarters of the Free French Forces - Carlton Gardens, London, UK
N 51° 30.340 W 000° 08.027
30U E 698908 N 5709954
The grey slate, or possibly granite, plaque is on a building used as the Free French Forces Headquarters in London during the second World War.
Waymark Code: WME6Y5
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/11/2012
Views: 7
The main wording on the plaque is within a box that is
bounded by the colours of the French tricolour, red white and blue. The words
are from a speech made by de Gaulle on 18th June 1940 and broadcast from this
place.
It reads:
"À tous les français
La France a perdu une bataille!
Mais la France n'a pas perdu la guerre!
Des gouvernants de rencontre ont pu capituler, cédant à la panique, oubliant
l'honneur, livrant le pays à la servitude. Cependant, rien n'est perdu!
Rien n'est perdu, parce que cette guerre est une guerre mondiale. Dans l'univers
libre, des forces immenses n'ont pas encore donné. Un jour, ces forces
écraseront l'ennemi. Il faut que la France, ce jour la, soit présente à la
victoire. Alors, elle retrouvera sa liberté et sa grandeur. Tel est mon but, mon
seul but!
Voilà pourquoi je convie, tous les français où qu'ils se trouvent, à s'unir à
moi dans l'action, dans le sacrifice et dans l'espérance.
Notre patrie est en péril de mort.
Luttons tous pour la sauver!
Vive la France!
Général de Gaulle, quartier général, 4 Carlton Gardens, London SW1.
18 juin 1940".
Outside the box and at the bottom of the plaque is written:
"Ici, le Général de Gaulle établit son quartier
général. Les français libres, ses compagnons refusant avec lui d'accepter la
défaite, y ont poursuivi la lutte jusqu'à la victoire."
Translated, the speech reads:
"To all Frenchmen.
France has lost a battle! But France has not lost the war. Some of those in
power were able to capitulate, yielding to panic, forgetting honour, delivering
the country into servitude. However, nothing is lost! Nothing is lost because
this war is a world war. In the free world, huge forces have not yet been
deployed. One day, these forces will wipe out the enemy. On that day, France
must be present at the victory. Thus she will rediscover her liberty and her
greatness. Such is my goal, my only goal! That is why I invite all Frenchmen
wherever they may be to unite with me in action, in sacrifice and in hope. Our
country is in mortal danger. Let us all fight to save her! Long live France!
General de Gaulle, headquarters, 4 Carlton Gardens, London SW1
18 June 1940".
And the text beneath translates to:
"Here General de Gaulle established his headquarters.
From here the Free French, his companions, refusing with him to accept defeat,
pursued the fight through to victory."
In 1940, after briefly being in Mayfair and Victoria, de Gaulle moved here with
his French National Committee. On 18 June that year he made a radio broadcast
appealing for resistance. This broadcast became famous and is quoted on the
plaque. The symbol at the top is the Cross of Lorraine, which recalls Joan of
Arc.