GAULLE Charles de L.A.S., 1934 or 1935, to Paul Reynaud; 3 1/2 pages in-8 and manuscript of 20 pages in-4. Very interesting document detailing Charles de Gaulle's titanic project to modernise the army. "I am enclosing a draft explanatory memorandum relating to the proposal to create a specialised manoeuvre corps. Article V of this proposal provides for an increase in the length of service in off-peak years, in accordance with Article 40 of the Recruitment Act. The text has been drawn up on the assumption that the Government would have chosen this procedure and so as not to hinder it on this particular point. If the Government were to propose an increase without referring to Article 40, it would be easy to delete the following words from Article V: "by application of Article 40 of the Act of 31 March 28 on Army Recruitment". Moreover, Minister, I am entirely at your disposal for any follow-up you feel you should give to a military reform project whose usefulness and 'dynamism' are truly indisputable". Charles de Gaulle's important manuscript, divided into two parts, was extensively annotated by Paul Reynaud, sometimes restoring words that were difficult to read or modifying sentences. The manuscript begins with the observation: "The world has become small" and unfolds a historical, political and strategic reflection. "The "stronghold psychology" that we have allowed to spread in public opinion. But strongholds have always been designed to capitulate after putting up a good fight. The combination of political indifference, military conformism and, more recently, social unrest, has produced the result [... that] we are today in an alarming state of inferiority". Slight cracks on a few leaves of the manuscript. Bibliography: L. N. C., vol. 1, p. 770.