Charles de Gaulle was Sentenced to Death in Absentia

The armistice between France and Germany was signed on June 21, 1940. The accord was immediately denounced by De Gaulle. The New French government responded by revoking his rank to brigadier-general. On August 2, 1940, he was tried and found guilty in absentia by a French military court, and was sentenced to death, had his military rank suspended, and had his possessions seized. While still a resident of London at the time, Charles de Gaulle continued to motivate the French resistance movements with frequent radio broadcasts.

De Gaulle was executed in absentia on August 2 by a French military court for his crimes. (Probably on the order of the German invaders). De Gaulle would prove an adept wartime politician, finally winning recognition and respect from the Allies and his fellow countrymen. He returned to Paris from Algiers, where he had moved the headquarters of the Free French Forces and formed a “shadow government,” in September 1943. He went on to head two provisional governments before resigning.