D-Day: The History of the Normandy Landings - (Volume 1 & 2)

Author: (French) Paul-Marius Dragos
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: In the Marly Gardens near Paris, there is a "Hunter's Lodge" that once belonged to King Louis XIV and is now a residence for de Gaulle after his resignation. De Gaulle rented the "Hunter's Lodge" for 5,000 francs per month. This choice made his wife Yvonne happy, as she felt the apartment in Nai was a bit too dull and solemn. Now, de Gaulle could take long walks in the woods here. Walking was a sport that de Gaulle enjoyed, and he had been practicing it long before the war, remaining faithful to it until the very end of his life. It was also an environment that was conducive to de Gaulle's family life, allowing him to restore a unique and touching relationship with his disabled daughter Anne, whom he had been caring for with Miss Bautier. De Gaulle kept Claude Mauriac by his side as a secretary and almost immediately immersed himself in the writing plan for "War Memories." This was a task that completely absorbed de Gaulle and filled him with passion. However, it is not wrong to say that even if de Gaulle, like all those who had relieved themselves of a heavy burden after years of hardship, naturally felt immense relief for a while, he suddenly encountered a complete change in his life. It can be bluntly summarized in one sentence: life's first idleness. De Gaulle had to reply to hundreds of letters from strangers who supported him, pouring out their sorrows or pains, but this was a routine task that ended shortly due to circumstances. He received visits from former assistants or ministers such as Ory, Schuman, Pasqua, (Remi, Palévsky, Dejean, Walloon, whom he visited) indeed, leisure gave de Gaulle the opportunity to vent his feelings, lightly mocking government ministers, and talking with interest about the heads of state who succeeded Roosevelt, Churchill, and himself. But soon after, from a relaxed mood, sorrow emerged. It was seen that this pain overwhelmed everything by the end of 1946. At this time, did de Gaulle hope to return to power immediately? Like de Gaulle in the last days of his retirement, he knew nothing. But he saw that France had not been shaken in any way, and there had been no major upheaval in the hearts of the French people. Later, when writing "War Memories," de Gaulle tried to analyze this phenomenon. "Just as those in power were completely immersed in the comfort of old habits," de Gaulle wrote, "on the contrary, the common people of France fell into sorrow." In fact, whatever everyone's inclinations were, they all felt that (de Gaulle) the general took with him something primary, constant, and necessary through history, but which the party system could not represent. It can be assumed that this legitimacy remained potential during a carefree phase. But as soon as the risk of national division and threat reappeared, it would immediately gain universal approval and be accepted by people." However, it was precisely because France did not face any mortal threat or any irreparable division. Especially under the guidance of Finance Minister André Philip, the Guan government, through efforts to increase the budget and taxes, maintained the wage and price levels achieved during the previous government's term, and sent Broum to the United States to negotiate loans, trying to prevent a shortage of foreign exchange. France did not witness any inspiring events, nor did it experience any catastrophic events; on one hand were expressions of serious and good intentions, and on the other hand, retreats in the face of difficult reforms and severe economic conditions; people could criticize the actions of the current leadership, but could not condemn them. In fact, de Gaulle, like anyone else, clearly saw this, even if he was willing to make some sharp, sarcastic, and ruthless remarks. Evidence was collected from de Gaulle's conversations and private expressions—among the most complete evidence being the daily diary written by his adjutant Claude Guy—①—and from which it was noted that, in addition to his strange or annoying temper, there was also a conversation quoted by Claude Mauriac in which he spoke with his father, Fran?ois Mauriac. ② Therefore, this is an indirect but quite clear and worth quoting evidence. The old Mauriac narrated that, in de Gaulle's view, there were three possibilities for the future political situation: "Either the current situation will continue for a considerable time in the current chaos and mediocrity; or the French Communist Party will take power—when this will certainly lead to foreign war, because the Russians have settled in France, and this"