GAULLE Charles de. 2 L. A. S. "C." and "Ton Papa", 4 March and 12 April 1952, to his son Lieutenant Philippe de Gaulle (in Port-Lyautey); 4 pages in-8 each on the letterhead of Le Général de Gaulle. On his son's military career and the political situation. March 4th. He had asked Admiral Auboyneau to follow up the question of his son's posting; he came to tell him "that you were to take command of the 6F at Lartigue, currently equipped with Blochs, but which would soon receive Avengers. Admiral Auboyneau added that it was planned for you to go there very soon as second-in-command, firstly because the Navy was encountering great difficulties in supervising units, and secondly because, in any case, before you took over as first-in-command, you would have to undergo retraining for onboard aircraft and you would do this at 6F. I asked him to rectify this assignment as second in command. But I see that it had already been decided. You will certainly understand that it is difficult for me to interfere directly with what concerns you in these matters, firstly because I don't know all the circumstances and obligations specific to the branch to which you belong, and secondly because I fear doing you a disservice by claiming to impose solutions. In this case, it seems to me that you could have - perhaps you still could? - come to Paris yourself to talk to those who prepare or decide on postings, and I know that they are very sympathetic to you. In any case, I'm going to see Commandant Lahaye again in the next few days and, if not for a change, at least for some clarification"... 12 April. "Easter is here! The eternal festival of resurrection and spring. My thoughts as an ageing man are with you, with Henriette, with your two sons, who are the present and the future. I'm thinking, in particular, of your career, which like everything exceptional, has many impulses and hopes, mixed with great impatience and difficulties. But, whatever happens, it is from the air and the sea that we now dominate the world. You have chosen naval aviation. I have no doubt that events will one day offer you the opportunity for great deeds. You must be prepared for them. As far as I'm concerned, I'm still fighting the battle for recovery, with the transformation of the regime as my No. 1 objective. The PINAY affair is nothing more than the last chance of the easy way out, played by interests without any popular faith. The realities are too harsh for this to succeed. But there is, at the moment, euphoria in certain circles (on another level it's quite the Giraud enterprise). For the moment, I am holding back a little, not hypnotising myself on the parliamentary ups and downs, even as far as the Rassemblement is concerned, but ready to lead the 'Gaullist' offensive, that is to say the national effort, as soon as the failure of the current experiment has unleashed anguish. The garden at La Boisserie is starting to look nice. Leaves are growing, flowers are appearing. You wouldn't believe, Henriette and you, what a joy it is for Mum and me to see you there again soon"... LNC, II, p. 1060 and 1064.