Jacques Massu

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jacques Émile Massu (May 5 in Châlons-sur-Marne, 1908 – October 26, 2002 in Conflans-sur-Loing) was the French paratrooper general sent to Algeria during its War of Independence from France.

Born in a family of military officers (and a distant relative of Marshal Michel Ney), he was educated at the Prytanée National Militaire and was serving in Africa when the Second World War 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.

In September 1945, he landed in Saigon and took part in the retaking of the city and of the South of Indochina.

1 Algeria
2 Quotes
3 Bibliography
4 External links

[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 Alger" in 1957, using torture, mass punishment and other ruthless means. In July 1958, he was promoted to général de division (see ranks in the French Army) and took the head of the army corps of Alger, as well as functions of prefect for the region of Alger.

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 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.

[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)