Jacques Massu

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Jacques Émile Massu (May 5, 1908 – October 26, 2002) was a French general that fought in World War II, First Indochina War and Algerian War of Independence.

1 Early life
2 World War II
3 Indochina
4 Algeria
5 Later life
6 Quotes
7 Bibliography
8 External link

[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 2e DB (second armoured division) 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] Algeria

A brigade general in 1955, Massu was in charge of the 10e division de parachutistes, with which he won the bloody "Battle of Algiers" in 1957, using torture and mass punishment. 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.

[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 saught 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

À la découverte de leurs racines, tome I, chapitre le général Massu, by Joseph Valynseele and Denis Grando (L'Intermédiaire des Chercheurs et Curieux, 1988)