WHAT NATIONAL DEFENCE OWES TO 1944

Visuel pour l'article "Esprit 44" de l'IHEDN

Throughout the summer of 2024, in partnership with the Charles-de-Gaulle Foundation, the IHEDN explored various events that took place 80 years ago and were crucial to the return of the Republic, the country's sovereignty and its national cohesion.

For the IHEDN, this dossier is a way of recalling the strong link between the institute and Charles de Gaulle. In 1931, when he was a battalion commander, de Gaulle wrote a memorandum for his superiors that has come to be regarded as the first forerunner of the CHEDN, which was founded in 1936 and became the IHEDN after the war. In it, the future statesman raised the need to train officers and civilians side by side in strategic culture.

This dossier also provides an opportunity to revisit some of the "fundamentals" of our defence, born out of combat, and to pay tribute to all those who have been involved in promoting the spirit of defence.