He was born in Châlons-sur-Marne into a military family:his father was an artillery officer. He also embraced a military career and joined Saint-Cyr, from which he graduated as a second lieutenant in 1930 with the colonial infantry as his choice. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1932. He distinguished himself in various conflicts during the Second World War, participating in the liberation of Paris in August 1944, in the war in Indochina and in the Suez expedition, as well as in the Algerian war:in 1958 he received his division general stars. In 1966, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the French forces in Germany. Despite his military exploits, he is accused, notably by Louisette Ighilariz, of having authorized and participated in acts of torture during the Algerian war, which he does not deny. Retired in 1969 in Conflans-sur-Loing, he devoted himself to writing his memoirs and died in 2002, at the age of 94.
1908 - 2002
Status
Military