General Weygand's Evidence
General Weygand's evidence in the trial of Marshal Petain throws a good deal of light on the confusion that prevailed in France in May and June, 194o, in political and military circles alike. The General accuses M. Reynaud of weakness, and of resigning instead of depriving him of his command. But evidence on the other side had shown how powerful was the cabal working against M. Reynaud behind the scenes. One dear-cut issue between the two groups emerges. General Weygand does not deny that M. Reynaud clung to his demand that there should be no armistice, and that the Government should withdraw to North Africa. On this proposal the General adopted the same attitude as Marshal Petain. He thought it more " disgraceful " to let the Army capitulate than to sign an armistice and 'cease all resistance. He therefore favoured the armistice, and opposed the proposal to continue the war from Africa side by side with the Allies. According to his own testimony, however, he did urge that the fleet should put to sea and not remain in metropolitan harbours—a suggestion which was not acted on. He suggested that the validity of the agreement with Britain was questioned in the Cabinet on the ground of the inadequacy of British participation. This point was disposed of by M. Reynaud, who denied that Britain had failed to carry out any of her military undertakings.
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