Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970) - French statesman and military leader, general. He went down in history as the organizer and main leader of the patriotic movement of the French people "Free France" during the Second World War. First president and founder of the Fifth French Republic. Charles de Gaulle, whose biography has become a symbol of patriotism, resilience and courage, is a major historical figure and folk hero of France.

Charles Andre Joseph Marie de Gaulle was born on November 22, 1890 in the French city of Lille in a Catholic intelligent family. The father was a professor of literature and history and independently educated all his five children, teaching them history, philosophy and eloquence.

From a young age, Charles was fascinated by military subjects, and he began to study the art of warfare. At the age of 10, he read serious "adult" literature: the works of Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, Plato. Brought up in the spirit of patriotism, the young de Gaulle dreamed of taking revenge on Germany for the surrender of his native France in 1870.


Good performance at Stanislaus College ensured that 19-year-old Charles entered the Special Military School in Saint-Cyr. After graduation, he was enrolled in the 33rd Infantry Regiment of the French Army under the command of Colonel Philippe Pétain, who became Charles de Gaulle's mentor for the next 15 years.
With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the 33rd Infantry Regiment was thrown into reconnaissance, and de Gaulle received bullet wounds in his left arm and leg. Blood poisoning began, and the hand remained mutilated for life.
After the third wound, de Gaulle ended up in German captivity, in which he spent 32 months. An interesting fact: he tried to escape 5 times, suffering from the thought that the war was passing him by, but each time he was caught. Charles met the victory in captivity and was able to return home only in December 1918.
In peacetime, de Gaulle lectured and wrote military works. He believed that in a war one could quickly defeat the enemy with the help of tanks and quick maneuvers.


Charles de Gaulle was able to truly reveal his abilities during the Second World War, which he met in the rank of general. Outraged by the conclusion of a truce between France and Germany, he left his homeland and on June 18, 1940, on the radio from London, turned to the French with an appeal to join the Free French movement he had created and fight the German invaders to the last.
Soon, the Free French were joined by the vast colonial possessions of France in Africa, Indochina, and Oceania.
The Free French fighters took an active part in the combat operations of the allies. The network of partisan organizations in occupied France also grew noticeably.

On June 6, 1944, the Allied forces carried out a successful landing in Normandy, thereby opening a second front in Europe. Paris was soon liberated, and de Gaulle took part in a solemn procession through the streets of the capital.


The first and only wife of the French general was Yvonne Vandroux, with whom he lived a long and happy family life. From this union a son was born, whom de Gaulle named Philippe in honor of Philippe Pétain. Two daughters were later born, Elizabeth and Anna.
After retiring, de Gaulle began to write Memoirs of Hope, but did not have time to complete them. Charles de Gaulle died on November 9, 1970. The cause of death was an aortic rupture.