Ces français ont libéré la France ! - Ordre de la libération

While the French army surrendered to German forces in 1940, some soldiers joined the Free French Army (FFL) and ordinary civilians chose to resist, putting their lives in danger until liberation.

The video explores the Order of Liberation and its members, known as Companions of Liberation, who were rewarded for their exceptional commitment and careers.

The discussion takes place at the Museum of the Order of Liberation, marking the first episode of a series dedicated to this order and its members.

The Order of Liberation was not created after France's liberation from Germany, but rather on November 16, 1940, during the early occupation.

• World War II began September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland • France and the United Kingdom declared war on Germany on September 3 • A period called the 'Funny War' followed where belligerents faced each other without offensive operations

Charles de Gaulle was a colonel at the 507th Combat Tank Regiment who advocated for modern warfare using large armored units, a theory the Germans successfully implemented.

• June 5, 1940: De Gaulle was appointed undersecretary of state at war by Paul Reynaud • June 11, 1940: Paul Reynaud resigned and was replaced by Marshal Petain • De Gaulle decided to leave for England to continue the war

On June 18, 1940, de Gaulle launched his famous radio call urging French officers and soldiers to join him, declaring that the flame of French resistance must not go out.

General de Gaulle created the Order of Liberation in 1940 to distinguish and encourage those fighting for the reconquest of French national territory and to convince French colonies to resume the war.

• The Order of Liberation is the second French national order, after the Legion of Honor • Unlike the Legion of Honor, it includes only one rank: Companion of the Liberation • There is only one decoration for everyone, all in the same boat

• The medal features the cross of Lorraine of free France allied to the sword of combat • Black represents mourning for France; green represents hope for liberation • Green wins over black, symbolizing hope overcoming the Nazi threat

The order's Latin motto is 'Patriam servando, victoriam tulit' meaning 'In serving the Fatherland, he won the Victory.' Only 1,038 individuals received this cross, plus 5 communes and 18 military units.

• General Leclerc and Philippe Kieffer who founded the Kieffer commando • Berty Albrecht, who resisted and created a social service to aid families of comrades • Laure Diebold, one of Jean Moulin's shadows • The submarine Rubis

Located in the Hotel des Invalides in Paris since 1970, the museum highlights different aspects of Free France and the Resistance, showcasing War History and lesser-known themes.

• Exhibits trace Free France from hundreds of volunteers reaching England to tens of thousands working from liberated territories • Displays include the 2nd Armored Division (Leclerc) that fought from North Africa to Strasbourg • The 1st Battalion of Marine Rifles commando, first unit to land in France on June 6, 1944

• French airmen of the Normandy unit who fought in the USSR, symbolizing Franco-Russian friendship • Tahitian soldiers found in the Libyan desert holding back General Rommel

• Some took up arms, sabotaged targets, or informed allies • Others helped pilots, escaped prisoners, Jews and people in danger leave the country safely • Resisters came from different social origins and did not share the same political opinions

Many resisters were deported, and numerous never returned from camps. Deportation was a severe sentence that weighed above resisters who chose to fight.

Equipment and false papers used by resistance fighters are displayed alongside many memories of these fights.

Even in camps, resistance continued through forced labor sabotage in factories feeding Nazi armies, often with fatal consequences for those caught.

The Order of Liberation highlights values carried by Companions who refused to submit to injustice despite the risks, emphasizing unity despite differences of political and social origin.

• The Order organizes many commemorations including the call of June 18 at Mont Valerian • It helps members and their families when they face difficulties

The Order works to transmit the Companions' values to younger generations, ensuring their legacy continues.

The series aims to showcase French fighters often overlooked in World War II history, as discussions frequently focus on Americans, English and Germans rather than French resistance and Free France fighters.