Martial Valin (18981980)a discreet yet pivotal figure of Free Francegave wings to the Gaullist cause. A courageous pilot, visionary military leader, and exceptional organizer, he embodied the rebirth of the French Air Force at a time when all seemed lost. In 1941, he assumed command of the Free French Air Force (FAFL) and played a decisive role in securing international recognition for Free France. Although he was the architect of the French air forces in the face of National Socialism and a key figure in their post-war reconstruction, he remains largely unknown. Drawing on 130 boxes of previously unpublished archival material from the French Service historique de la Défense, Jean-Charles Foucrier presents the first comprehensive biography of this influential leader. The book offers deep insight into the inner workings of Free France, the heart of political rivalries and critical military decisions, and the creation of a new branch of the armed forces: the modern Air Force.
