François Darlan

François Darlan (August 7 1881 –  December 24 1942) was a French naval officer. Darlan rose through the French Navy. He ultimately became Admiral of the Fleet, and was a major figure of the Vichy France regime during World War II.Darlan was born in Nérac, Lot-et-Garonne, graduating from the École Navale in 1902. During World War I, he commanded an artillery battery. He remained in the French Navy after the war, and was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1929 and Vice Admiral in 1932. Darlan was made an Admiral and Chief of Staff in 1936. In 1939 he was promoted to "Amiral de la flotte", a rank created only for him, and given command of the entire French Navy.
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