GAULLE Charles de Copy of a L.A.S., Paris, 9 October 1936, to Paul Reynaud; 4 pages in-8. Interesting copy of a letter from Charles de Gaulle concerning the defence of France and Belgium and the risk of invasion. Copy of an autograph letter from Charles de Gaulle, the original not having been found. "Enclosed are statements made yesterday by M. Devèze, today Minister of State and only yesterday Minister of National Defence in Belgium, the promoter of resistance on the country's eastern border (and not around Antwerp), who, for this reason, has left his portfolio of National Defence. The idea of Belgian resistance could not be more clearly linked to the condition of immediate and powerful support from France. Given the German Panzerdivisionen and the prospect of a sudden attack, our military organisation does not allow us to provide this assistance. We cannot immediately oppose the Reich's "Specialised Armoured Corps", or at least nothing remotely equivalent to it. As far as the Germans are concerned, France has two "markets", which are always the same: the left bank of the Rhine and the Netherlands. In the absence of adequate military organisation, we had to stand by and let Hitler take the first. If we do not reform the economy of our forces, we will let Hitler take the second. In addition to the risks of land invasion that this abandonment would expose us to - of invasion on the ground most precious to the life of France, and the most dangerous for its defence - we are thus exposing ourselves to aerial warfare under the worst possible conditions. Paris, the heart of the country, 200 kilometres from the air bases that the enemy would set up in Belgium. Conclusion: We must once and for all get out of this passive military policy, which is contradictory to the conditions of our national defence, to our policy of mutual assistance, and to the spirit of the times, which is the time of speed and, consequently, of manoeuvre". Bibliography: L. N. C., vol. 1, p. 804-805.