French Forces of the Interior (FFI)

On February 1, 1944, the eight largest French Resistance movements were united under the French Forces of the Interior (FFI), under the command of General Kœnig, who was based in London.

   The FFI are composed primarily of:

• of the “Secret Army” (AS), a Gaullist organization comprising Combat, Libération-Sud, Franc-Tireur, and the Army Resistance Organization (ORA),
• the French Francs-tireurs and Partisans (FTPF or FTP) and the FTP-M.O.I., which were fairly close to the Communists.

    The goal was to coordinate their efforts in preparation for the Allied troops’ landing on the French coast. A central FFI command was established in the northern and southern zones, and regional organizations covered the entire territory.

   A Military Action Committee was founded by the Central Committee of the Resistance Movements under the name COMIDAC. In May 1944, COMIDAC joined the CNR. It became COMAC, whose primary focus was a national uprising.

   The Communists held a majority there. Under the auspices of the CNR, they organized departmental liberation committees (CDL).

   After bringing rail transport to a standstill and sabotaging the power grids, the FFI played an effective role in liberating the country, particularly in Brittany, Paris, the Southwest, and the Southeast.

They played a significant role in the preparations for the Allied landings in Normandy in June 1944 and in the liberation of France.

The FFI had 100,000 members in January 1944, 200,000 in June, and 400,000 in October.

   After the liberation of Paris, General de Gaulle, head of the Provisional Government of the French Republic (GPRF), concerned about the existence of “uncontrolled” armed groups, was determined to restore “republican order.” On August 28, he issued a decree ordering the dissolution of all FFI units formed for clandestine combat.

   De Gaulle offered Resistance fighters—who were determined to fight until final victory—the opportunity to join the units of thenew French army. In September 1944, the FFI were integrated into the regular army.

   The COMAC was eventually dissolved in January 1945 when the Central Committee of the PCF called for a “return to republican order,” as desired by de Gaulle. Similarly, the GPRF abolished the FFI directorate within the Ministry of War.