Gaston Henry-Haye
Encyclopedia
Gaston Henry-Haye was a merchant, French politician and diplomat. He served in the French Chamber of Deputies
from 1928 to 1935, and in the French Senate
from 1935-1944. He was also Mayor of Versailles
from 1935-1944. Henry-Haye voted full powers to Marshal Petain on 10 July 1940, and was appointed by Petain as Ambassador of Vichy France
to the United States in 1940 after the armistice between Vichy France and Germany
. His photograph was featured on the cover of Time Magazine, 10 March 1941..
Henry-Haye was interned by the United States in 1942, following the occupation of Vichy France by Nazi Germany
. This internment of a diplomat was unusual, as no state of war existed between Vichy France and the United States. He was allowed to return to Vichy France in 1944, but escaped to South Africa
after threats of death by the French Resistance
. Henry-Haye returned to France in 1950, where he lived in obscurity until his death.
Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of deputies is the name given to a legislative body such as the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or can refer to a unicameral legislature.-Description:...
from 1928 to 1935, and in the French Senate
French Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the Parliament of France, presided over by a president.The Senate enjoys less prominence than the lower house, the directly elected National Assembly; debates in the Senate tend to be less tense and generally enjoy less media coverage.-History:France's first...
from 1935-1944. He was also Mayor of Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
from 1935-1944. Henry-Haye voted full powers to Marshal Petain on 10 July 1940, and was appointed by Petain as Ambassador of Vichy France
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
to the United States in 1940 after the armistice between Vichy France and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. His photograph was featured on the cover of Time Magazine, 10 March 1941..
Henry-Haye was interned by the United States in 1942, following the occupation of Vichy France by Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
. This internment of a diplomat was unusual, as no state of war existed between Vichy France and the United States. He was allowed to return to Vichy France in 1944, but escaped to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
after threats of death by the French Resistance
French Resistance
The French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during World War II...
. Henry-Haye returned to France in 1950, where he lived in obscurity until his death.