Catalogue description Records of Various Second World War Departments

In September 1941 General de Gaulle set up the French National Committee in London, and this was recognised by Britain as representing Free French interests. A British mission was appointed to the committee to deal with diplomatic, legal, economic and military questions. The committee was recognised by the United States in July 1942. After the allied occupation of North Africa a separate French authority was established in Algiers, but in June 1943 this merged with the French National Committee to become the French Committee of National Liberation. This was based in Algiers until France itself was liberated.

During the Second World War special ministers responsible to the War Cabinet were appointed to reside in places overseas, charged with relieving military commanders of political responsibilities, co-ordinating the activities of the different British authorities, liaising with representatives of allied governments and taking emergency decisions on the spot. There were at various times a minister of state resident in the Middle East and ministers resident in Singapore, West Africa and at Allied Forces Headquarters in Algiers. There was also a minister resident for supply in Washington from November 1942.

The minister resident at Allied Force Headquarters in Algiers was appointed in December 1942, to provide a political element at a military headquarters where the command was American. From 1943 to 1944 he was also responsible for contacts with the French Committee of National Liberation at Algiers before the appointment of a special United Kingdom representative to the committee early in the latter year.