Pierre Jeanpierre

Pierre Paul Jeanpierre
Nickname(s)

Foreign Legion Para Legend
Soleil - The Sun (code radio indicative)

Jardin (resistance alias)
Born 14 March 1912
Belfort, France
Died

29 May 1958
Mort pour la France

Guelma, French Algeria
Allegiance France
Service/branch

French Infantry
Foreign Infantry

Foreign Airborne
Years of service 1930-1958
Rank Legion French Lieutenant Colonel
Unit
Commands held

1e BEP (1948-1955)

2nd in Command Adjoint to Pierre Segrétain

1st in Command as of November 1st, 1954

1st in Command
1e REP (1955-1956),(1957-1958) †

1st in Command
Battles/wars

World War II

First Indochina War
Suez Crisis
Algerian War

Awards Grand Officer of the Légion d’honneur
Croix de Guerre 1939–1945
Croix de guerre des TOE
Cross for Military Valour
Resistance Medal w/Rosette
Colonial Medal
Indochina Campaign commemorative medal
North Africa Security and Order Operations Commemorative Medal

Pierre Paul Jeanpierre (14 March 1912 – 29 May 1958) was a Frenchman, a soldier of legend in the French Foreign Legion who initially served in the French Army and the archetype manhood of a prestigious war chief " archétype de l’homme de guerre et du chef prestigieux". He fought during World War II, the First Indochina War, the Suez Crisis and the Algerian War, where he was killed in action. Apart from a short effective time in the French resistance and yearly days in deportation, he served exclusively since 1936 non-stop with Foreign Legion units, most notably along the entire history making of the Foreign Airborne Battalions and Regiments, and more particularly as regimental commander of the 3 time reconstituted 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion becoming the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment (1e REP) until his death in action. Uncomparable prestigious commander, his legionnaires swore in admiration by his courage, colonel Jeanpierre will always remain the symbol of the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment. A worthy heir of Legion traditions, Pierre advanced and placed his foreign regiment amongst the best of best assault troops amongst the French Armed Forces elite. In French Algeria, the name Jeanpierre surpassed the reputation that of Bigeard, with this nuance however: Pierre never did anything to showcase nor claim the later.

Pierre was known exclusively, quite rare, to train in and out of combat operations the Legionnaires he commanded and would be referred as the Foreign Legion Para Legend while his men forming the battalions and regiment were known as Jeanpierre 's Legionnaires or Jeanpierre's Regiment. Pierre's military rank colors les galons were not earned in the ministries nor political bureaux salons.

Early life

Pierre was born in 1912 at Belfort in a French patriotic family. His father was an active duty career officer and captain in the 42 infantry regiment killed during World War I in 1916 at Marne without ever seeing his family since August 1914. Pierre was raised by the paternal sight of his mother and enlisted in the infantry at barely 18 years of age.

French Foreign Legion

Pior WWII

Main article: French Foreign Legion

Pierre enlisted in the 131st Infantry Regiment as a regular infantryman in 1930 and worked being seconded from the enlisted corps by passing by all the non-commissioned ranks, graduating second from the Infantry and Tank School of Saint-Maixent as a Second-Lieutenant on October 1, 1936. Pierre's accomplished graduation ranking allowed him to choose the Foreign Legion's 1st Foreign Regiment, a combat command corps which he wouldn't leave non-stop until his death while making a Legion Lieutenant on October 1, 1938.

World War II

Pierre endured the Phoney War "Drôle de Guerre" and was put at disposition. He was also deeply marked by the defeat of 1940. During World War II, Pierre also served in the 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment, deployed in 1939 to the French Levant and took part in Mediterranean operations in 1940 at the corps formation of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment part of the Foreign Legion Group, G.L.E.

Following the Syria–Lebanon Campaign which he did not partake in confronting other French units, Pierre refused to join the Free French Forces from the principle of sticking with his idea of a Tricolour Flag and instead joined the French Resistance under the alias "Jardin" and integrated the ranks of the movement Ceux de la Libération; recruiting and arming over 60 volunteers; (Those of the Liberation). Pierre was arrested at Orléans on January 19, 1944 and was deported to as a prisoner interred in the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp after passing by the grouping camp of de Compiègne. With forced labor, Pierre would be among only 2 survivors out 45 in his stalag when the camp was liberated by the Allies on May 5, 1945. Liberated and healed, Pierre is nominated as a Captain at the center of recruitment of the Legion in Kehl. In July 1948, learning that in Algeria would be created a foreign parachute battalion, he volunteered, rejoins Sidi Bel Abbès then Philippeville where he is brevetted as a legion paratrooper. 3 month later, the battalion is in the high region of Indochina.

Jeanpierre's Regiment and Legionnaires

An unbreakable marked survivor of deportation, Pierre was physically robust, built and solid; a demanding charismatic manly allure that served him well in training, commanding and leading Legion officers, sous-officiers, and Legionnaires. The Regiment, formed Legionnaires and promoted Legion officers under Pierre's command owed and showed to his allure, character and will while also the physical build of his Legionnaires showed his elite. Pierre was very passionate about mainly training his Legionnaires; they were his reflection and idea of real men looking standing; elite robust battalions and regiment, a mission he always insisted and sought to in person properly all the time in and outside combat operations around the globe regardless.

Indochina

1er Bataillon Etranger de Parachutiste, 1e BEP (July 1, 1948 - September 1, 1955) - I,II,III Formations -

Pierre sailed to Indochina as second-in-command to Pierre Segrétain in the (1e BEP, I Formation) of the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1e BEP) in 1948. During the evacuation of RC 4, route de sang , he and the battalion jumped over That Khe in a traditional Foreign Legion battlefield while facing an ennemy 20 times superior in numbers. Jeanpierre, owing to his energy, his savoir faire around the terrain and his qualities of a combatant chief, manages to repel waves of incessant hellish ambushes by inheriting over much of the leadership of the battalion after Segrétain was killed leading the battalion.[1] On October 1950, tasked with taking Dong Khé during the disaster of Cao Bang, the mission was to save column "Charton" which was unfolding. Hardly short of courage and audacity, he holds the line until the last dearing, divides the survivors into small groups and releads the charge of 23 legionnaires, 3 sous-officiers, 2 officers to That Khé where a French garrison should still hold standing. From the hundreds of Legionnaires that constituted the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1e BEP, I Formation), only 12 men remained almost capable still. Commandant Segrétain was killed during combat at arms and Lieutenant Faulque fell pierced with projectiles, none of which were mortal. Seriously wounded, he was made prisoner and liberated 4 years later; he would be part of the troop of the living-dead which the Viet Minh would give back to France. the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1e BEP, I Formation) with the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment were annihilated in Coxa. Physically exhausted, Pierre rejoins the Legion in Mascara where he retakes his passion, the instruction and forming of les jeunes legionnaires. The 1e BEP was recreated (1e BEP, II Formation); however, the last combats in Indochina would take place without his leadership. A Para legionnaire's legionnaire, Pierre returned to Indochina to command the (1e BEP, II Formation) of the reconstituted 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1e BEP, II Formation) after its second annihilation at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in a traditional Foreign Legion battlefield. Reconstituted in a (1e BEP, III Formation) on May 19, 1954; Pierre takes command of the 3rd reconstituted 1e BEP (III Formation) on November 1, 1954, the same day in which the Algerian War commenced. The 1e BEP (III Formation) leaves Indochina on February 8, 1955.[2] The 1e BEP totals 5 citations at the orders of the armed forces and the fourragère of the colors of the Médaille militaire.[3] The 1e BEP becomes the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment (1e REP) in Algeria on September 1, 1955.

Suez Crisis

After the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion became the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment, Pierre was passed over for command on February 6, 1956, instead serving as second-in-command, this time to Colonel Albert Brothier which he assumed but was deeply disappointed.[4] The regiment was put on alert on August 1, 1956 after the preparation of the campaign in Egypt; Pierre embarks on October 31, however, his views and reservations of this disembarking were well known. This beautiful instrument of combat which became a regiment didn't serve any worthy cause. Nevertheless, a new mission was confined to Pierre: in Algeria, put an end to this urbain terrorism, a police mission which no one wants or likes but must be executed successfully. Pierre retakes command of the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment in March, 1957.[5]

Algeria

1e Regiment Etranger de Parachutiste, 1e REP (September 1, 1955 - April 30, 1961)

Pierre reassumed command as the regimental commander following the leave of Colonel Brothier at command headquarters of the 10th Parachute Division commanded by Brigadier General Jacques Massu. Partnering operations with Pierre, was the 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment commanded by regimental commander colonel Buchond. This new mission is complicated and implies certain techniques of clandestine counter-insurgency operations, which legion officers and a couple of legion sous-officiers were authorized to accomplish this difficult task. Leading closely details of operations to his usual requirements, Pierre is caught in a grenade blast that affected his legs and ability to lead his para air assaults. Nevertheless, and hardly ever short of committing usual leadership, Pierre lead and carried on despite always for his legionnaires.

The 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment won fame and success for security operations against terrorism led by Pierre in Algeria; however, this regimental commander wanted to pursue operations in the mountains. As he led the regiment throughout the summer of 1957, his legs slowed him down and he started to experience difficulties in walking. Consequently, this para legend of legionnaires discovered the value of helicopters which would allow him to be present anywhere while surveilling all operations and leading assaults from the ground. His stationary code radio name was " Soleil" (The Sun). Pierre now became a master of helicopter operations.

On January 19, 1958, the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment leaves the Sahara after defeating the terrorist groups which wanted to compromise the security routes of oil convoys. The master of helicopter operations is morally apt and professional. Following the petrol route in the Sahara, combat operations engage the regiment non-stop in the region of Guelma.[6] Pierre lead para assaults from the air then ground and his legionnaires followed. On January 24, 75 rebels are put outside their combat element by stripping them 6 heavy machine guns. Until March 1 and during 3 months, 1300 arms out of which 120 automatic machine guns were stripped from militants which lost their presence in the region of Guelma, that is some 600 unarmed terrorists. Pierre unfortunately, had at his command not only his regiment but also support units and troop unit sectors that could be available for him. At his disposition were several helicotpers out which one <<Alouette>>. Pierre was all over the air, he permanently hovers above his companies where he sees, knows, and commands all. Launching his ideas, Pierre perfectly applies putting into motion various tactics resulting in; night operations, fire artillery support, heavy helicopter transport, aerial observations and aerial bombardments. Pierre privilidges intelligence, speed and surprise to apprehend an adversary with no escape. Pierre's most difficult idea: launch the assault by close range corps-a-corps combat, the essential role of the infantry and choc troops. Exhausted and tired, Pierre Paul Jeanpierre leads the usual example in the field amongst his legionnaires and also sleeps sitting on the terrain, retaking habits adopted in Indochina. On May 13, 1958, Pierre is found conducting and focusing on tasked operations while events stirr up in Algeria, he considered his mission unchanged. Accordingly, the regiment makes way towards the mountains and canyons; one more operation to reduce militants and terrorist activity in the zones of operations. While providing mobile leaderhsip from the air followed by ground assaults, recon intel and direction to his companies of legionnaires from the "Alouette" in which Pierre was hovering on top close a little mountain; a shot strikes Jeanpierre against the pilot. Shortly immediately after, Captain Ysquierdo takes the radio post:" Soleil est mort, the Sun is Dead ". The legendary Para Legionnaire's Legionnaire leading; fell to the ennemy on May 28, 1958; following along their commander also Legion officers and a couple of hundred legionnaires in a traditional Foreign Legion battlefield.[7]

Citations

This chief of war "chef de guerre", a veteran of numerous conflicts, was feared in reason of his hard, harsh and demanding requirements in combat, sometimes passing the status of operations before the life of his legionnaires. Nevertheless, his legionnaires admired him since he always trained them, lead and never asked them to conduct an act in which he would not lead the example; the essence and corps of a legion officer's conduct becoming and leading even from the air followed by ground assaults. Legionnaires mainly and legion officers under his orders commanded a great deal of loyalty to Pierre.

His portrait is exposed amongst the most prestigious officers in the Legion in the honorary La Salle d'Honneur in the French Foreign Legion Museum at Aubagne.

In the annex of the report of the batlle of the frontiers[8] reserved exclusively for, regimental commander Colonel Buchond insists on:

<< the work of a single commandant assisted by only one captain and who only in one day mounts 4 para combat operations each time mounting at least a dozen of para combat companies, assists to 3 briefings in three different places, ensures the air sortie of 8 para air assaults, conducts 3 to 4 hours of flying in Alouette, moves his command post 3 times>>...

cited << this company commandant is placed the 28th of April at 1000 by helicopter only 200 meters from the rebels, demolishes an entire section, brings back 3 automatic arms, is found engaged at 1800, embarked in vehicles at night, hits the road for 4 hours, is found at midnight at 20 km from there, engaged in combat till the morning, repacked at 0800, is engaged again at 1200 noon time after 4 hours truck drives, flown by helicopter at 1500 and is found 20 km from combat engaging two companies of rebels...>>

The author André Maurois rendered hommage and tribute with a couple of words :

"Un héros au cœur généreux et au caractère détestable, une assez bonne combinaison pour un chef "
<< a hero with a generous heart and a detestable character, a fairly good combination for a chief >>

Funeral

The funeral of Pierre Paul Jeanpierre was the equivalent of a National Day with several honorific commemoraitve ceremonies. On the 31st of May; Gelma and its more than 10,000 Muslim strong habitants rendered a huge and grandiose hommage to Colonel Jeanpierre. From January to May, the legionnaires had lost 110 men, Jeanpierre was their 3rd. In 1959, the grande place of Zeralda, the garrison of the 1e REP and the chapel bore his name. All; local, foreign, senior French military and civilian authorities, specially, Para commanders, other military commanders, came all the way fom France and elsewhere to pay their respects and flower his coffin.

Jeanpierre's 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment

Honoring his service and their being, Legion officers and Legionnaires of the robust and elite battalions of the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment conducted a monumental ceremony and paraded in front of his coffin in a grandiose national day celebration custom.

Honours

This soldier of Legend was injured twice in battle and is cited 9 times out of which 6 are at the orders of the armed forces, and several other awards not including:

Homages

See also

References

  1. ↑ Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, History of the 2e REP, the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion 1er Bataillon Etranger de Parachutistes
  2. ↑ Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, History of the 2e REP, the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion 1er Bataillon Etranger de Parachutistes
  3. ↑ Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, History of the 2e REP, the 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion 1er Bataillon Etranger de Parachutistes
  4. ↑ Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, History of the 2e REP, the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment 1er Régiment Etranger de Parachutiste
  5. ↑ Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, History of the 2e REP, the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment 1er Régiment Etranger de Parachutiste
  6. ↑ Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, History of the 2e REP, the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment 1er Régiment Etranger de Parachutiste
  7. ↑ Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, History of the 2e REP, the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment 1er Régiment Etranger de Parachutiste
  8. ↑ Henri Le Mire, Les Paras Français, La Guerre d'Indochine : La bataille des frontières, page 76

External links

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