Dunkirk and aftermath

In October 1939 Platon was promoted to rear admiral in command of the group at Dunkerque-Calais-Boulogne. The Germans launched their invasion on 10 May 1940.^[2] In June 1940 Platon helped the British command in the evacuation of the port of Dunkirk.^[3] Platon was known to use cocaine. After the escape of the British from Dunkirk his Anglophobia reached a hysterical pitch.^[4] Platon, who was still enraged at Britain over Dunkirk, visited Cameroon on 20–22 July 1940 and stirred up trouble between the sides that supported and opposed the British. Soon after the British were informed that their planes were not to fly over Cameroon.^[5] However, a month later Cameroon swung over to the Gaullist side.^[6]

Colonial secretary

The Colonial Secretary Henry Lémery was dismissed on 6 September 1940 during a cabinet reshuffle, and was succeeded by Platon. Platon was recommended by Fleet Admiral François Darlan, and Marshal Philippe Pétain soon came to respect him. According to the historian Eric T. Jennings, Platon was "fanatically Vichyite and rabidly Anglophobe".^[7] He was close to Charles Maurras, whom he often asked for advice on colonial matters. A violent opponent of General Charles de Gaulle, he described the Free French as "a bunch of renegades made up of volunteers of the Universal Jewish Empire."^[7] Platon wanted the colonies to be part of the National Revolution.^[7] Platon ensured that most of the anti-Semitic and anti-Masonic laws of Vichy France were implemented in the colonies. He also exported the Vichy regimentation of young people, cult of the soil, cult of the leader and hatred of parliamentary government. However, Platon was concerned that the colonies might adapt the ideas of the National Revolution to their own national rebirth and independence, which he strongly opposed.^[8]

Platon (top left) with the governor of French Somaliland, Pierre Nouailhetas (top right), in 1941

On 27 October 1940, on Platon's recommendation, a law was passed that suspended all elected assemblies in the colonies, and that gave the colonial governors full powers.^[9] In June 1941 Platon proposed a number of ways to eliminate obstacles to implementing the French anti-semitic laws in the colonies.^[10] In response to a suggestion that the Indochinese be allowed to fill high-level administrative positions he wrote on 20 October 1941, "[A]dmitting non-French citizens to management positions poses delicate questions, and simply cannot be undertaken."^[11] Platon was suspicious of Protestant missions in French West Africa due to their links with the Anglican missions in neighboring British colonies. He said the missions must limit themselves to religion and stay loyal to France, and told the colonial administrators to closely monitor missions that had ties to the British.^[12]

In December 1941 Platon presented a ten-year plan in which he declared that France would continue her colonizing mission. He said the colonies should be industrialized. The war had shown that decentralization of vital industries was prudent. This would not weaken industry in metropolitan France, but would give colonial subjects greater buying power.^[13] The main goal was to improve agriculture, roads and transportation so as to develop exports. Development of industry was secondary. Development of primary industries such as energy and building materials would ensure a basic level of economic autonomy, and in some cases more advanced industries could be introduced, while avoiding any revolutionary change.^[14] Platon was Colonial Secretary until 18 April 1942, when he was succeeded by Jules Brévié.^[15] This coincided with Pierre Laval's return to office as Prime Minister.^[16]

Later career

Charles Platon greeting German ambassador Otto Abetz on the occasion of the Day of the Tricolor Legion 29 August 1942

Under Laval Platon was made responsible for anti-Masonic activities.^[17] The French authorities had created the anti-masonic Service des sociétés secrètes (SSS) in May 1941.^[18] Platon was made chief of this service.^[19] Platon ordered the expulsion of some categories of Jews from the Clermont-Ferrand region, which started in late June 1942, to make housing available for government employees. In September 1942 Platon was informed that about 70% of the Jews whose cases had been examined had been expelled.^[20] In August and September 1942 Platon blamed the defeat of France by Germany on the absence of discipline, the love of pleasure and the destruction of the family. He also blamed secret societies, Freemasons, Jews and trusts. To restore the grandeur of France he called for obedience and order, total loyalty to the leader, courage, patience, honesty and discipline.^[21] On 1 November 1943 Platon, as head of the SSS, reported that,

The forces of order are unreliable, important, mired in an incapacity to act by regulations made for happier times when it was enough to show force in order not to have to use it ... the consequence is that the only notable security operations in France that have been effective up to now were carried out either by French irregular forces unknown to, or not recognized by, the French government, or by the German authorities.^[19]

Platon believed that England was the enemy, and was furious at the scuttling of the French fleet in Toulon on 27 November 1942.^[2] Darlan reprimanded him for displaying a large signed portrait of Maurras in his cabin.^[17] Laval forced Platon to retire to Pujols on 26 March 1943.^[2] He was arrested at his home by the Francs-Tireurs et Partisans on 22 July 1944, and after a summary trial was found guilty of giving intelligence to the enemy. He was executed by a firing squad on 28 August 1944; proud and arrogant, he himself gave the order to shoot.^[2]

Personal life

In 1911 Platon married Suzanne Bellamy. They had four children.