Darlan, François

(1881-1942)

   naval officer, political figure

   Born in Nérac, François Darlan was chief of staff of the navy (1936), which he helped to modernize, and for that he requested and was given the rank of admiral of the fleet, to be on a par with the British first lord of the sea. Minister of the navy and the merchant marine in the vichy government (June 16, 1940), he became vice president of the Council of Ministers with the portfolio of interior and foreign affairs; he was also the designated successor to Marshal Philippe pétain after the dismissal of pierre laval (December 1940). He then engaged in a policy of collaboration (meetings with Adolf Hitler, concessions to the Germans over rights to the French ports in Africa and Syria, the Darlan-War-limont Accord, which was repudiated by the Vichy government). The Germans having demanded the recall of Laval, Darlan resigned his government posts, while remaining commander in chief of the armed forces. He was in Algiers during the Allied landing (November 8, 1942) and ordered a ceasefire. He joined the Allied side and regrouped French forces in the fight against the Axis, being recognized as commander by French military leaders in North Africa, Alexandria, the Antilles, and Dakar. His leadership, however, was repudiated by General Charles de gaulle and divisions of the metropolitan forces. In December 1942, Darlan was assassinated and replaced by General henri giraud.

   See also World War II.