Speech made over London Radio on June 18, 1940, at about 8p.m. by General de Gaulle.

The leaders who have been commanding French armies for several years have formed a government.
Claiming our troops have been defeated, this government is siding with the enemy in order to end fighting, thus conceding defeat.
Admittedly, we had been and are still being overwhelmed by the mechanical, land and air might of our enemy.

It’s not the numerical strength of the Germans that is forcing us to pull back, but their tanks, aircrafts and tactics. Their tanks, aircrafts and tactics took our leaders by surprise to the extent of bringing them to the point where they are today.

But has the last word been said ?
Have all hopes been dashed ?
Is the defeat irreversible? No !

Believe me, I’m talking to you about something I know just so well ; I’m telling you that nothing is lost yet for France. The same means used to defeat us can one day bring us victory.

Remember France is not alone! She isn’t alone! She isn’t alone ! She has a mammoth Empire behind her. She can constitute a coalition with the British Empire, master of the sea, and continue the fight. Like England, France can exploit the unlimited resources of the huge American industry.

This war is not confined to the territory boundaries of our unfortunate country. The outcome of this war does not depend on the French battle. This is a world war. The fact that blunders have been committed, much time has been lost and misery is everywhere does not mean that somewhere out there in the world we can’t find the resources necessary to one day crush our enemies. Defeated today by a mechanical force does not mean that we can’t conquer tomorrow by a superior mechanical force. It’s the fate of the world that is at stake.

I, General de Gaulle, presently in London, am personally calling on French officers and soldiers who are on British territory or who might subsequently find themselves there, with or without their arms; I’m calling on engineers and workers specialized in the armament industry who are on British territory or who might subsequently find themselves there, to get in touch with me.
Whatever happens, the French resistance flame must not die out and will not die out.

Just like today, I’ll speak over London Radio again tomorrow.

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