GAULLE Charles de L.A.S., 30 January 1940, to Paul Reynaud; 4 pages in-4 with handwritten letterhead of the Tank Command of an Army Sect. 100. On the situation of the French army and his promotion to the rank of general. An important letter. "The first two battleship divisions of the French army were formed a fortnight ago. The formation of two others is planned for the beginning of March and the end of next June respectively... At the head of each of these large units is a general officer (in fact, a Brigadier). As yours truly is not a general (although he has held a post of this rank since mobilisation), he could not be considered for command of the first two Divisions. It remains to appoint the head of each of the next two Divisions, which is the responsibility of General Gamelin personally. President Daladier could, of course, have his say. I do not need, Minister, to express to you the various reasons of a general and particular nature which make me ardently wish to receive such a command. To do so, I would have to be given the position and the rank at the same time. As far as the function is concerned, I won't take the liberty of talking about my skills. But my two current chiefs, General Bourret, Commander of the Fifth Army, and General Keller, Inspector of Battle Tanks, are qualified to do so. I have reason to believe that they would not raise any objections, quite the contrary. As for the rank, my current seniority as a colonel may seem to be a few months short of what is required for a 'permanent' promotion. But the wartime decrees instituted, precisely in view of cases of this kind, the system of 'temporary' promotions which could be applied to me without any difficulty, provided they were willing to do so. There remains the question of 'favour' with the Commander-in-Chief. I am very convinced of his spirit of justice: I am less convinced, I confess, of the desire that he and his entourage may have to 'favour' me, especially at a time and in an area where certain ideas ultimately prevail. As you, Minister, are the champion of these ideas as a statesman, and as you know that the spirit of reform and the fact of having been right do not always help to ensure a soldier's career, as long as the major battles have not been fought, I take the liberty of turning to you. You will do what you think is right and will be right. Minor tears. Bibliography: L. N. C., vol. 1, p. 915-916.