An original black-and-white press photograph of the French general Charles de Gaulle (1890–1980) during a speech in North Africa on August 30th 1942.

Unknown photographer: An original black-and-white press photograph of the French general Charles de Gaulle (1890–1980) during a speech in North Africa on August 30th 1942. Back marked “De Gaulle, Gen. Charles” and stamped “Inter-Allied Information Centre”. Dated “Aug 30 1942”. Photo size 25.5×20 cm. Frame size 43×33 cm.

Charles de Gaulle - at the time France's youngest general - opposed his country's surrender to the Germany on May 10th 1940, after which he fled to England. From here he headed the Free French Forces' fight against the nazi supremacy and rapidly he came to be known as the incarnation of the true France. Even his name seemed to symbolize the saviour role obtained by the general. De Gaulle means “of Gaulle”, that is “the French”.