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"Commander, we received a telegram without encryption!" In the Algerian port, where the fleet had just been housed with the Mainland, and before he could discuss the future with the Algerian Governor in detail, Darlan received a telegram in the name of de Gaulle.

In fact, until today, Darlan did not know who the name de Gaulle was.

When Darlan was appointed Chief of Staff of the French Navy and became the head of the French Navy, de Gaulle was still a little-known army commander. It was very easy for de Gaulle to know Darlan's reputation, but it would be unrealistic for Darlan to hear about de Gaulle.

Just like some star chasers in later generations, he may know famous stars, and even learn about the life preferences, personality style, and even height and weight of idol stars through various channels.

However, other big stars don't know every fan who chases stars.

The reason is simple, because most fans and celebrities are not on the same level. They can only know colleagues who are equally famous, or people who are about the same name.

Therefore, a figure of de Gaulle's level has actually never been able to enter Darlan's eyes.

However, when Darlan received this telegram, he took it very seriously. Because at this moment, he already knows the identity of de Gaulle.

It's not because Darlan and de Gaulle crossed paths, or that they had been in touch.

Because this morning, on the second day after he fled France, General de Gaulle, with the support of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, published a "Letter to the French People" on the British Radio.

In his Letter to the French People, de Gaulle solemnly announced to the world that he would re-establish a new anti-German government with the help of Britain. At the same time, he demanded that all French officers and soldiers who wished to resist Germany be contacted by him to join his new government.

Although not many people supported de Gaulle's new government, and not even many countries were willing to recognize its legitimacy, de Gaulle still used this declaration to successfully rise to the forefront of history and gain enough popularity, and even Darlan, who was far away in Africa, recognized the name de Gaulle.

"Let me see what Monsieur de Gaulle has to say to me." Darlang waved his hand to the staff officer, motioning for the other party to hand over the telegram.

Surprisingly, this telegram, sent in the name of de Gaulle, did not actually record what de Gaulle wanted to say to Darlan.

Spreading out the telegram, Darlan quickly understood the meaning and content of this telegram:

"Dear Commander Darlan, allow me to introduce myself first.

I am the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill.

At this sad moment when the Vichy government in your country gave up resistance and surrendered to Germany. I am very sympathetic to the plight of the French people, and I would like to express my sincere understanding and tolerance for Marshal Petain's choice.

After all, Monsieur Pétain, as the marshal of France, should still put the interests of the French first. ”

Reading this, Dar Lang couldn't help but nodded. It seems that Churchill, the British prime minister, is quite reasonable.

Although the surrender of France caused great pressure on the British defense. However, Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister, was very generous in his understanding and support, and included Petain's selfish decision to exploit France.

That's right, it's a selfish decision. Although it was a helpless decision, it was a unilateral decision made by France without consulting the British allies. From the point of view of the allies, France has failed to fulfill its obligations as allies.

After a moment's emotion, Darlan then read the telegram:

"From a sane point of view, the submission of France has dealt a huge blow to our country.

In order to help France drive out the Germans, we dispatched a full 200,000 of our best troops, and we also took the main ships of the Royal Navy's home fleet.

But the result was that Britain lost a large number of superior soldiers, countless main fighters, and capital warships on which it depended. But the allies we fought so hard to defend chose to surrender and surrender alone.

It has to be said that it was a terrible decision. This is true for France, and even more so for England.

Today, the warships that the British Empire was supposed to use to defend the English Channel have suffered heavy losses in the French campaign. Once the Germans choose to land at this moment, the safety of the British Isles will inevitably fall into a storm and misery.

I can only implore Admiral Darlan to read the friendship between the two former allies, and also to the interests of France, not to hand over the fleet to the Germans, and to guarantee your neutrality for the glory and freedom of the French navy.

Admiral Darlan has always won the trust of the officers and men of the French Navy at all levels, and will certainly be able to safeguard the independence and neutrality of the French fleet.

I never doubted that!

Today, I, Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, vouch for the British Navy that it will never be an enemy of the French Navy for 20 years.

The French navy, as long as it remains neutral, will always be a friend of the British Empire, a like-minded fighter.

In any case, I assure you once again that the Royal Navy of the British Empire will always regard the French Navy as a friend, not an enemy. The guns of the British battleships will definitely not take the initiative to aim at your French fleet.

May the French navy always maintain its neutrality and maintain its reputation.

The friendship between our two countries will last forever.

- Friends from the French people,

Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill. ”

Churchill's letter deeply touched Darlan's heart.

He didn't expect that the British prime minister would be so reasonable, empathetic, open-minded and wise.

Although, even without Churchill's letter, Darlan would have kept his fleet neutral, maneuvering between several powers, and resolutely not joining either side until the situation was finally settled.

However, Churchill's assurances to himself still moved Darlan from the bottom of his heart.

After handing the telegram to his subordinates to circulate it, Darlan said with some excitement: "I have always hated the country of England. All the while, I hated England more than I hated Germany. Until today, I still regarded them as selfish villains, and I was not used to their style over the years. ”

Darlan's voice trembled a little. Because of his emotion, he trembled slightly, and shouted loudly:

"But today! I just realized that I was wrong!

I mistook Britain and misunderstood a great nation!

Today, we will always remember the tolerance and understanding that the British have given us!

We French people have always had clear grievances.

Today, I'm here to pledge. Once the war ended, it would be the British or the Germans who would win in the end. The French navy, and the soldiers under my command, will surely remember the kindness and understanding that Britain has given us today!

June 8, 1940, is a day that must be remembered by our French Navy!

From now on, every year on June 8th, we have to hold a commemorative event......."

At this moment, Darlan and every officer and soldier under his command were grateful to Britain from the bottom of their hearts.