FRANCE: The Symbol

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Among the ruined olive groves and the drab, pathetic rubble of small Italian towns, exultant Frenchmen with glittering eyes were rubbing out the memory of June four years ago. Down the dusty, twisting road from the ancient hill village of Esperia, toward Monticelli and the pockmarked Liri Valley, buzzed a jeep with the shield of a general of France. "Voila le grand Charlie!" sweaty Frenchmen shouted to one another, and froze in proud salute.

The awkward, gangling lubber beside the driver gravely touched his two-star cap. General Charles de Gaulle, Commander...

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