Charles de GAULLE - Signed letter from 1940

Typed letter signed to the l'Etat-Major, senior general, commander in the East brigade. Douala November 17, 1940; 1 page in-4th on letterhead "Forces Françaises Libres - Etat Major".

Letter concerning the ranks given within the East brigade: "Order - During operations in the Eastern theater and as long as the Oriental brigade will operate within the framework of large British units 1° - Colonel Commander of the Eastern Brigade will be able to award citations comprising the Croix de Guerre up to 10% of the workforce under his orders. Beyond this percentage, the ratification of the higher authority is necessary… "

Born in June 1940 from an agreement between de Gaulle and Churchill, France Libre is a military movement but also a political entity. If the headquarters of France Libres is in London and most of its volunteers fight alongside the British Army, it is in Brazzaville, French territory, that General de Gaulle institutes a "defense council of the Empire ", a reflection of his desire to establish state-to-state relations with the English government.