Breteau
Breteau is a common French, located in the department of the Loiret and the area Center.
Geography
History
June 11th, 1940, proceeds a meeting between Winston Churchill, Paul Reynaud, Pétain, the Weygand general and de Gaulle with the castle of the Lily of the valley with Breteau. The solidarity of England and France, the power of the French Army, the loyalty of the Command then ceased being gathered data.More precise details on this event: In the small hour of June 11th, 1940, the general Maxime Weygand, chief of staff of National defense install his general headquarter with the castle of the Lily of the valley not far from Briare. Having replaced the Gamelin on May 19th with the head of the French Armies, he hopes for vis-a-vis the German surge capacity to hold on a line Caen, Tours, the average Loire, Clamecy, Dijon and Dôle. But the progression of the enemy troops is such as the line of the Loire quickly proves to be impossible to defend.
Already Reynaud and De Gaulle think of resisting starting from a " reduced breton" and of a fold in North Africa. June 11th thus, at the request of Churchill which wishes to make a financial statement, sits as from 7 p.m., in the peaceful and country decoration of the Lily of the valley, the interallied Supreme council. Among the people present around the dining-room table are held in particular on the English side Churchill, Antony Eden and Spears, special delegate attached to the French government and on the French side, Reynaud, Pétain, Weygand… and De Gaulle.
Determination of the de Gaulle general. According to the various reports of this capital conference, Churchill and Reynaud reaffirm the principle of a savage military resistance. But Weygand makes a pessimistic talk: it can guarantee only the " lines still hold demain". He thus asks the massive support of British aviation adding: " If it is necessary to consider the occupation complete of the metropolis, one comes from there to wonder how France would be able to continue the guerre". Without pronouncing the word, Weygand, like Pétain, dream already with the armistice.
Churchill, which does not want to be likely to dislocate its aviation of combat in preparation for the future great air battle of England, remains on the reserve. However, taking up the ideas of Reynaud and De Gaulle, in favor to continue the fight, it suggests of " to continue in various areas of France a fight of guerilla who would disperse the efforts of the ennemi". The savage will of Churchill makes impression with De Gaulle who in her " Mémoires" note " Our conversation strengthened the confidence which I had in his will. Itself undoubtedly retained of it that De Gaulle, although stripped, was not less résolu". Indeed, the English notice the determination of De Gaulle.
The man of the start. According to Spears, " it was calm, Master of him, absolutely not dismounted… British civilians and soldiers were magic to see at Reynaud the support of this vigorous personnalité" whereas the French had the pale face, air of prisoners… Spears adds " there the Prime Minister who appeared to seek something on the faces of the French looked at several de Gaulle times and seemed to have found what he sought… "
Churchill will also write in connection with De Gaulle " it was young and energetic and had made me a very favorable impression. I believed probable that if the current line crumbled, Reynaud would require of him to take the commandement". With her pitiless clearness, De Gaulle, formed for a long time with the political meditation, included/understood where was the way of the rectification of France and that he would be perhaps the man of the start. Let us dare to say it! For De Gaulle, the hour of the destiny already sounded with the castle of the Lily of the valley!
Source: General advice of Loiret
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