François Darlan (7 August 1881 – 24 December 1942) was a French naval officer. Darlan rose through the French Navy, ultimately becoming Admiral of the Fleet, and was a major figure of the Vichy France regime during World War II.
Darlan was born in Nérac, Lot-et-Garonne, graduating from the École Navale in 1902. During World War I, he commanded an artillery battery. He remained in the French Navy after the war, and was promoted to Rear Admiral in ...
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François Darlan (7 August 1881 – 24 December 1942) was a French naval officer. Darlan rose through the French Navy, ultimately becoming Admiral of the Fleet, and was a major figure of the Vichy France regime during World War II.
Darlan was born in Nérac, Lot-et-Garonne, graduating from the École Navale in 1902. During World War I, he commanded an artillery battery. He remained in the French Navy after the war, and was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1929 and Vice Admiral in 1932. Darlan was made an Admiral and Chief of Staff in 1936. In 1939 he was promoted to "Amiral de la flotte", a rank created only for him, and given command of the entire French Navy.
When Paris was occupied in June 1940, Darlan was one of those who supported the premier and head of state, Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain. Darlan was rewarded by retaining his post as minister of the navy, and he quickly ordered the majority of the fleet to French North Africa. The British feared the French fleet would fall into German...
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