FRENCH CELEBRATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25279, 16 July 1943, Page 3

FRENCH CELEBRATIONS

THE NATIONAL 'HOLIDAY . RUGBY, July 14. The French National Holiday was celebrated in London by a review of troops and airmen at Wellington Barracks, at which the salute was taken by Air General S’Astaire La Vigare, whose appointment as Commander of the French Forces in Britain was announced to-day. The troops marched past the Foch Monument. To-night the French people will indulge in the customary dancing outside the

The day was celebrated at Algiers with patriotic enthusiasm for the first time since the outbreak. General de Gaulle took-the salute at a parade. It was followed by a huge gathering of civilians, and the whole assembly was addressed by representatives of the political parties. General de Gaulle affirmed that all France was behind Britain, the United States, Russia, and the other allies in fighting the Axis to the bitter end. He appealed to Frenchmen to unite not only to win the war, but also for the reconstruction of France. “We are sure of our future,” he said. “We are now united, and together we shall march towards a new and better fate.”

After the parade General de Gaulle expressed his admiration of the troops who took part and his gratitude to the British and American forces who helped to celebrate the Fete’Nationale. On the occasion the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr A. V. Alexander sent a message to General de Gaulle and also to the French naval leaders conveying the greetings of the British Navy and expressing the conviction of complete victory over the Axis and the restoration of France to her former greatness.

M. Stalin, in a message to the French National Committee of Liberation and Generals Giraud and de Gaulle on the °^a sion of French National Day, said: The Soviet Union greets the strengthening unity of the French people, who are courageously fighting against the German Fascist invaders. The Soviet people firmly believe that, the day of our common victory over Hitlerite Germany, the day of the liberation and resurrection of a free, democratic and independent France, is near at hand.”