Georges' mother was a school-teacher, who gave him a thirst for reading, especially about patriotic events in France's past such as the peasant resistance in the Vosges during 1815 and the 'Francs Tireurs' (Free-Shooters) of the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71.

After studying at the Higher Primary school of Bellac, Guingouin followed in his mother's footsteps by progressing to the Teacher Training School of Limoges. Conscripted in 1934, at the age of 21, Guingouin went on to complete three years of military service in the infantry principally as a Secretary of Staff to the 6th Training Company at the Military academy in Paris. This position would undoubtedly have provided the necessary skills to organise and control the band of Resistance fighters which he formed as the war progressed. However, at the outbreak of the war he was working as a teacher in St-Gilles-les-Forêts (Haute-Vienne).

More importantly though, during these formative years, Guingouin rose to the postion of secretary of the Communist Ray of Eymoutiers. In this position Guingouin would have gained an understanding of the people and the political climate of the eastern cantons of the Haute-Vienne.

Mobilized on August 23 1939, Guingouin was attached to the 120/124 transport group, however he was wounded in the head on June 17 1940 and was evacuated at the Sainte-Madeleine Military Hospital at Moulins-sur-Allier. On June l8, just one day after Guingouin was evacuated, the city came under attack by advancing German forces. Guingouin, refusing to be taken prisoner, joined the French unit defending the city. Heavily under fire, the unit were eventually forced to retreat to Montlucon.

Coincidentally, Guingouin's retreat to Montlucon, under heavy fire and wounded, occured on the same day as General de Gaulle, who from the relative safety of his London base, made this famous appeal to the peoples of France.

"The leaders that have been at the head of the French armies for many years have established a government. This government, has put forward the defeat of our armies, and has contacted the enemy to end the combat. It is true that we have been - and continue being - overtaken by the enemy's mechanical power, both land-based and aeronautical. Much more so that their numbers, it is their tanks, their airplanes and German tactics that have made us retreat. It is the tanks, the airplanes, the tactics of the Germans that have surprised our leaders to the point of leading them to where they are today.

But has the final word been spoken? Must hope disappear? Is the defeat final? No! Believe me, I who speak to you with full knowledge of the facts, and tell you that nothing's lost for France. The same means that have defeated us may one day bring us victory. Because France is not alone! She is not alone! She is not alone! She has a vast Empire behind her. She can join forces with the British Empire, which controls the sea and continues to fight. Like England, France too has unlimited access to the immense industry of the United States.

This war is not limited to the sorrowful confines of our country. This war will not be decided by the battle taking place in France. This war is a world war. None of the mistakes, none of the delays, none of the suffering shall deny that in this world we can find all the means necessary to crush our enemies one day. Though we may be struck down by mechanical power today, we shall win by a superior mechanical power in the future. Therein lies the world's destiny.

I, General De Gaulle, in London at present, invite the French officers and soldiers who are currently on British soil, or who will be here in the future, with or without their weapons; I invite engineers and laborers who are specialized in the arms industry, who are on British soil, or who will be here in the future, to contact me.

Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not be blown out - and it shall not be blown out."