THE DIPLOMATIC ASPECT OF OPERATION OVERLORD: RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND FRANCE

Vitalii Nechaiev,

Master’s Student,

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/2524-048X.2026.33.9

 

Abstract. The purpose of this article is to conduct a comprehensive historical and political analysis of the diplomatic and administrative aspects of the interaction between the Allied command and representatives of the Provisional Government of the French Republic during the initial phase of the Normandy operation; to reconstruct the chronology and logic of the conflict of legitimacy that arose between the commissioners of the Republic appointed by Charles de Gaulle and the officers of the Allied missions acting in a civilian capacity, and to identify the factors that contributed to the diplomatic victory of the Gaullist government.

The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism and scientific objectivity, using a problem-chronological approach to reconstruct the events in Normandy in June–July 1944. The main method is the analysis and synthesis of sources, which allows us to trace the interaction between the Gaullist administration and the Allied command.

The scientific novelty of the article lies in an attempt to apply a microhistorical approach to the analysis of a geopolitical conflict, considering the events in Bayeux not as a local event but as a key marker episode, where the fate of French territories was decided at least until the end of the war.

Conclusions. The article examines the mechanics of the transition from the Vichy regime to the Republic in the context of hostilities. It provides a detailed analysis of the transformation of the French Committee of National Liberation into the Provisional Government on June 3, 1944, and the harsh reaction of the US State Department. The role of the «war of symbols» is highlighted: from Charles de Gaulle’s refusal to support Dwight Eisenhower’s speech to the blocking of the circulation of American banknotes, which the French considered an imposition of the will of the United States. Particular attention is paid to Charles de Gaulle’s visit to Bayeux on June 14, 1944, which became a turning point in legitimizing the new government in the eyes of the population and the Allies. Based on an analysis of the actions of François Cule’s administration, it has been proven that the rapid restoration of state institutions (prefectures, post offices, press) and a tough stance towards Allied officers made it impossible to implement the plan for the occupation of France by American troops. The work demonstrates how the pragmatism of the Allied military command, interested in a stable rear, prevailed over the ideological prejudices of the US political leadership, leading to the de facto recognition of French sovereignty as early as July 1944.

Keywords: United States, France, Operation Overlord, World War II, international relations.

 

Submitted 15.09.2025

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