Jacques Benoist-Méchin (born 1 July 1901 in Paris – died 24 February 1983 in Paris) was a French far right politician and writer.
Although active as both a writer and rightist political figure he did not fully come to prominence until the German occupation of France during World War II, which was somewhat welcomed by the Germanophile.[1] In early 1942 he received from his personal friend Otto Abetz an offer that would guarantee France effective independence if the country agreed to become a military ally of Germany, although when the offer was officially made the terms had been watered down somewhat.[2] Despite this loss of face Benoist-Méchin was an enthusiastic collaborator who claimed that France was working with Germany rather than opposing her and risking further defeat or working for her and thus becoming subservient.[3] He was briefly the official ambassador for the collaborationist government in occupied Paris although early on this role passed to fellow Germanophile Fernand de Brinon.[4]
A minister without portfolio in Vichy France, Benoist-Méchin's influence grew when he, along with his allies Paul Marion and Joseph Darnand, was appointed to the controlling committee of the Légion des Volontaires Français in June 1942.[5] In this position he suggested renaming the group Légion Tricolore and converting it into a professional military unit, an idea soon adopted.[6]
As a writer he produced a History of the German Army in ten volumes[7] whilst De la Défaite au désastre, his memoirs of the collaboration period, was published in 1984.[8] He also developed a close friendship with Union Movement leader Oswald Mosley whilst the latter lived in France.[9]