Jacques Massu
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| Jacques Massu | |
|---|---|
| 5 May 1908 – 26 October 2002 | |
| Place of birth | Châlons-sur-Marne, France |
| Place of death | Conflans-sur-Loing, France |
| Allegiance | France |
| Service/branch | French Army |
| Years of service | 1928–1969 |
| Rank | Général d'armée |
| Commands | 10th Parachute Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II First Indochina War Algerian War Suez Crisis |
Jacques Émile Massu (5 May 1908 – 26 October 2002) was a French general that fought in World War II, First Indochina War, Algerian War and the Suez crisis.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Born in Châlons-sur-Marne to a family of military officers (and a distant relative of Marshal Michel Ney), he was educated at the Prytanée National Militaire.
[edit] World War II
He was serving in Africa when the World War II broke out, and joined the Free French Forces. He took part in the battle of Fezzan with the armoured troops of General Leclerc. In 1941, he was in charge of the bataillon de marche du Tchad. He served as a lieutenant-colonel in the 2nd Armored Division (2e DB) until the end of the war.
[edit] Indochina
In September 1945, he landed in Saigon and took part in the retaking of the city and of the South of Indochina.
[edit] Egypt
In 1956, the 10th Parachute Division was sent in Egypt to take back the Suez canal during the Suez crisis.
[edit] Algeria
A Brigadier General in 1955, Massu commanded the 10e Division de parachutistes. (Grando and Valynseele). France sent Massu and his division to Algeria in response to a wave of armed attacks and terrorist bombings coordinated by Algerian FLN. (Codevilla and Seabury). Massu ultimately won the Battle of Algiers in 1957, during which French forces were able to identify and arrest the leadership of the FLN in Algiers through the successful application of coercive methods of interrogation and outright torture on members of subordinate cells.[1] In July 1958, he was promoted to Général de division and took the head of the army corps of Algiers, as well as functions of prefect for the region of Algiers.[2]
[edit] Later life
After his criticism of the policy of de Gaulle in 1961, he was fired from his positions of military governor of Metz and of the Sixth military region. In March 1966, he was made chief of the French forces in Germany in Baden-Baden. On the 29 May 1968, Charles de Gaulle came to visit him and sought his advice during the events of May 68.
After his retirement in July 1969, he spent the rest of his life in his home at Conflans-sur-Loing writing his mémoires. He died in Conflans-sur-Loing on October 26, 2002.
[edit] Quotes
- "Give me two divisions and tomorrow, you can take your breakfast on the boulevard Saint Germain" (to De Gaulle, about May '68)
- "I am a soldier, I obey"
- Charles de Gaulle : "So, Massu, still that stupid ?"
- Jacques Massu's answer : "Still that gaullist, General !"
[edit] Bibliography
1) Codevilla, Angelo and Seabury, Paul. War: Ends and Means, Second Edition. Virginia: Potomac Books, 2006.
2) Grando, Denis and Valynseele, Joseph. À la découverte de leurs racines. Paris: L'Intermédiaire des Chercheurs et Curieux, 1988.
[edit] External link
- (French) Ordre de la Libération
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