Charles De Gaulle – Complete Biography, Military Career and Legacy
Charles de Gaulle, the towering figure who led Free France during World War II and founded the Fifth Republic, remains both a national hero and a source of deep political division. This article covers his full biography, military career, contested legacy, and the landmarks named in his honor.
Born Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle on 22 November 1890 in Lille, France, he was a professional soldier who became a statesman of immense influence. His life spanned two world wars, a period of colonial crisis, and the reshaping of French democracy.
De Gaulle died on 9 November 1970 at his home in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, France, at the age of 79. The cause of death, widely reported as a heart attack, brought an end to a career that had transformed the French state and its place in the world.
Who Was Charles de Gaulle? Complete Biography Overview
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle
22 November 1890, Lille, France
9 November 1970, Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, France
1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
- Charles de Gaulle was the leader of the Free French Forces during WWII and founder of the Fifth Republic.
- He survived World War I as a prisoner of war and later became a vocal advocate for armored warfare.
- His legacy is complex: admired for restoring French pride, but criticized for authoritarian tendencies.
- Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is one of Europe’s busiest airports, named in his honor.
- The French Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle is also named after him.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle |
| Born | 22 November 1890 in Lille, France |
| Died | 9 November 1970 in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Height | 1.96 m (about 6 ft 5 in) |
| Role in WWII | Leader of the Free French Forces |
| Political Role | President of France, 1959–1969 |
| Key Achievement | Architect of the Fifth Republic |
What Was Charles de Gaulle’s Military Career in WWI and WWII?
World War I: Officer, Wounded, Prisoner
De Gaulle served as a decorated officer in World War I, where he was wounded several times and ultimately taken prisoner by Germany. His experiences in the trenches shaped his later military thinking.
Interwar Period: Advocate for Armored Warfare
Between the wars, de Gaulle argued that modern warfare required mobile armored divisions and a more professionalized army. His views were controversial within the conservative French military establishment.
World War II: Free French Leader
At the outbreak of World War II, de Gaulle commanded armored units and was appointed Under-Secretary of State for National Defence and War. After France’s armistice with Nazi Germany in 1940, he went to London and issued the Appeal of 18 June, urging the French to keep fighting. He became the recognized leader of the Free French, organized Free French forces, and later headed the French National Committee and then the Provisional Government of the French Republic after liberation.
The correct French pronunciation of Charles de Gaulle is /ʃaʁl də ɡol/. The first name is pronounced “sharl,” and the surname “de Gaulle” rhymes with “goal.”
The Aircraft Carrier Named After Him
The French navy vessel named Charles de Gaulle is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the flagship of the French Navy. It is distinct from the man himself, but carries his name as a symbol of French military power and independence.
How Did Charles de Gaulle Die and What Is His Legacy?
Death and Circumstances
De Gaulle died of a heart attack on 9 November 1970 at his home in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, France. The cause of death is widely accepted by historians and medical authorities.
A Divisive Legacy
Charles de Gaulle is widely celebrated as a wartime savior and founder of modern republican institutions. He pushed France toward strategic independence, including building a nuclear force and leaving NATO’s military command. Yet he is also criticized for his authoritarian style, especially by opponents of his Algeria policy and by critics of the strong-presidency system. Harvard University Press’s biography summary describes him as “the most revered figure of modern French history – and the most hated,” capturing that dual reputation.
Some conspiracy theories about his death, such as poisoning, exist but lack evidence. The well-documented fact is a heart attack, confirmed by official records.
What Is Charles de Gaulle Airport? Codes, Transport, and History
Airport Code and Location
Charles de Gaulle Airport, located northeast of Paris, has the IATA code CDG and the ICAO code LFPG. It opened in 1974 and is named after the French leader.
Transport Connections
The airport is served by the RER B train line (its station is called “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 – TGV”) and also has a TGV station for direct high-speed rail connections to other French cities. The airport was also the home of the Concorde supersonic jet operations.
Timeline of Key Events in De Gaulle’s Life
- 1890 – Born in Lille, France
- 1912 – Graduated from Saint-Cyr military academy
- 1914–1918 – Served in WWI; wounded and taken prisoner
- 1940 – Fled to London; established Free French Forces
- 1944 – Liberation of Paris; headed provisional government
- 1958 – Returned to power; founded Fifth Republic
- 1959–1969 – President of France
- 1970 – Died of a heart attack at his home
- 1974 – Charles de Gaulle Airport opened
- 2001 – Aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle commissioned
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About De Gaulle?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date and place of birth and death | Some conspiracy theories about his death (e.g., poisoning) exist but lack evidence |
| Height officially recorded as 1.96 m | Minor discrepancies in height between French and English sources (some list 1.95 m) |
| Role in WWII and presidency | Debate over his exact stance on NATO withdrawal motivations |
| Cause of death (heart attack) is widely accepted | Low-credibility alternative theories are not supported by evidence |
Analysis and Historical Context
Charles de Gaulle’s leadership during WWII and his role in structuring the Fifth Republic have left a lasting impact on France. His desire for an independent foreign policy often put him at odds with the United States and UK. Domestically, he is both revered as a savior of French honor and criticized for his authoritarian style. The naming of both the airport and aircraft carrier after him underscores his national icon status, yet his divisiveness persists in modern French political discourse.
Notable Quotes and Primary Sources
“France has lost a battle. But France has not lost the war.”
— Charles de Gaulle, June 18, 1940 appeal
“Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.”
— Charles de Gaulle
Primary sources for further research include the Fondation Charles de Gaulle, official French government archives, BBC History, and Britannica.
Summary: Relevance Today and Future Interest
Charles de Gaulle remains a central figure in French identity and political science studies. Ongoing historical research examines his nuanced legacy. Searches for his biography, airport codes, and naval vessel will persist due to travel and education. For readers interested in other influential political figures, see Nigel Farage – Biography, Political Views and Plane Crash Survival and George Orwell – Biography, Books, and Enduring Legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Charles de Gaulle
Is Charles de Gaulle the same as the airport?
No. Charles de Gaulle was the French leader; the airport is named after him.
What is the ICAO code for Charles de Gaulle Airport?
LFPG.
What was Charles de Gaulle’s role in WWII?
He led the Free French Forces and later became head of the provisional government.
How long did Charles de Gaulle rule France?
He was President from 1959 to 1969 (10 years).
How tall was Charles de Gaulle?
He was about 1.96 m tall, commonly described as 6 ft 5 in.
What is the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier?
It is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the flagship of the French Navy, named after him.
How do you pronounce Charles de Gaulle correctly?
The French pronunciation is /ʃaʁl də ɡol/, with “Charles” sounding like “sharl” and “de Gaulle” rhyming with “goal.”
What is the RER train station for Charles de Gaulle Airport?
The station is called “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 – TGV” and serves the RER B line.
Why is Charles de Gaulle a divisive figure in France?
He is revered for saving French honor in WWII and founding the Fifth Republic, but criticized for authoritarian tendencies and his Algeria policy.
What was Charles de Gaulle’s role in WWI?
He served as a decorated officer, was wounded several times, and was taken prisoner by Germany.
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