1-153-963 - Art Media/Heritage Images

Admiral Francois Darlan, Commander of the French Navy, 1940. Jean Louis Xavier Francois Darlan (1881-1942) commanded the French naval forces early in World War II. After France surrendered to Germany, Darlan served as vice premier in the pro-German Vichy regime. In November 1942 he was captured, and ordered a cease-fire after negotiations with Allied forces. He was appointed high commissioner of French North Africa, but his leadership was repudiated by Charles de Gaulle's partisans. Darlan was assassinated in late December.