French Forces of The Interior - Political Tension

Political Tension

On 20 June 1944, the French high command decreed the mobilization requirements dating from the start of the war were still in effect, that the FFI units were to be made part of the French Army, and that the FFI was subject to French military law. Assuming control of the French national government after the liberation of Paris, Charles de Gaulle was almost immediately confronted with a challenge to his authority by an FFI flush with triumph as towns and cities were liberated in the wake of the German retreat from France. In late August 1944, there were incidents of FFI misbehavior in the region of Paris, highlighting the risks of having an armed and organized citizenry that suddenly found itself without a mission. De Gaulle believed France required a single decisive leader to restore effective government. The FFI believed they should have a share in national power because of their contribution to the Allied war effort. Subsequently, de Gaulle declared the FFI would be either disbanded or integrated into the French Army, and a series of tense meetings between de Gaulle and FFI leaders in major cities ensued. Despite FFI disenchantment with de Gaulle's methods, in large part they accepted his decision that FFI members would either be amalgamated into the French regular army or return to civilian life.