“FIGHTING FRANCE”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20836, 15 July 1942, Page 5

“FIGHTING FRANCE”

NEW TITLE ADOPTED UNION OF NATIONALS ROOSEVELT’S MESSAGE (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) (2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, July 13. As the title of Free French tends to create a distinction between Frerfchmen geographically free from German bondage and others who, whatever their sympathies may be. are under German bondage, the French National Committee has decided to alter the title of the Free French Movement to “La France Combattant” or “Fighting France.” The British Government has agreed to the change and on the definition that fighting France is a union of French nationals, wherever they may be and of French territories who join together in order to collaborate with the United Nations in the war against the Axis. , . The new name will identify a large body of Frenchmen, both outside and inside France, as there are many m the occupied area who are putting up resistance to the Germans. The movement will change its name to-morrow, which is Frances ° Although the Vichy Government has issued a decree ordering no national celebrations, and stating that the day is to be regarded as one of mourning, patriots in unoccupied France intend to display the tricolour and sing the Marseillaise. The Germans have forbidden the French to display flags in Paris. General de Gaulle will inspect French units in London, including the first French commando unit formed in Britain. President Roosevelt, in a Bastille Day messt ge, said: “On this anniversary which has so deep .a significance to every lover of democracy, I express the hope that the people of France may soon again enjoy the blessings of liberty, equality and fraternity.”