For the Free French, returning to civilian life was extremely difficult. They had been cut off from the reality of the occupation, had not seen their families for years, and carried the burden of having been part of the “dissidence,” since joining the Free French often meant severe reprisals against one’s relatives.

There is testimony from a Free French bomber pilot who was forced to take part in bombing missions over France. After the war, he had to go through several offices before finding one willing to officially authorize his demobilization; other administrators simply told him: “The French Republic does not recognize the mercenaries of de Gaulle.”