The Life of Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque: France's Greatest General

Free France's Lion: The Life of Philippe Leclerc, de Gaulle's Greatest General

by William Mortimer Moore

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6644 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	529 pages

FREE

Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque was born in Belloy-Saint-Léonard, France, on November 22, 1902. He was the son of a wealthy family, and he received a privileged education. Leclerc attended the École Polytechnique, one of the most prestigious engineering schools in France. After graduating, he served in the French army, and he quickly rose through the ranks.

In 1940, Germany invaded France. Leclerc was serving in the French army at the time, and he fought bravely against the German invaders. However, France was defeated, and Leclerc was taken prisoner. He was held in a German POW camp for several months, but he eventually managed to escape.

After escaping from the POW camp, Leclerc made his way to London, where he joined the Free French Forces. The Free French Forces were a group of French soldiers who had refused to accept the German occupation of France. Leclerc quickly became one of the most prominent leaders of the Free French Forces, and he led them to several important victories during the war.

In 1944, Leclerc and his troops landed in Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion. They fought their way across France, and they eventually liberated Paris in August 1944. Leclerc was hailed as a hero by the French people, and he was given the nickname "the Lion of Paris."

After the war, Leclerc served as the military governor of Paris. He also served as the commander-in-chief of the French army in Indochina. In 1947, Leclerc was assassinated by the Viet Minh, a Vietnamese communist group. He was 44 years old.

Leclerc was a brave and brilliant general. He was a true patriot, and he dedicated his life to serving his country. He is considered one of the greatest generals in French history, and his legacy continues to inspire the French people today.

Leclerc's Early Life and Career

Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque was born on November 22, 1902, in Belloy-Saint-Léonard, France. His father was a wealthy landowner, and his mother was a devout Catholic. Leclerc received a privileged education, and he attended the École Polytechnique, one of the most prestigious engineering schools in France.

After graduating from the École Polytechnique, Leclerc served in the French army. He quickly rose through the ranks, and he was promoted to captain in 1934. In 1939, Leclerc was sent to Morocco to command a cavalry regiment.

Leclerc in World War II

When Germany invaded France in 1940, Leclerc was serving in Morocco. He fought bravely against the German invaders, but France was defeated, and Leclerc was taken prisoner. He was held in a German POW camp for several months, but he eventually managed to escape.

After escaping from the POW camp, Leclerc made his way to London, where he joined the Free French Forces. The Free French Forces were a group of French soldiers who had refused to accept the German occupation of France. Leclerc quickly became one of the most prominent leaders of the Free French Forces, and he led them to several important victories during the war.

In 1944, Leclerc and his troops landed in Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion. They fought their way across France, and they eventually liberated Paris in August 1944. Leclerc was hailed as a hero by the French people, and he was given the nickname "the Lion of Paris."

Leclerc's Post-War Career

After the war, Leclerc served as the military governor of Paris. He also served as the commander-in-chief of the French army in Indochina. In 1947, Leclerc was assassinated by the Viet Minh, a Vietnamese communist group. He was 44 years old.

Leclerc's Legacy

Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque was a brave and brilliant general. He was a true patriot, and he dedicated his life to serving his country. He is considered one of the greatest generals in French history, and his legacy continues to inspire the French people today.

Free France's Lion: The Life of Philippe Leclerc, de Gaulle's Greatest General

by William Mortimer Moore

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6644 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	529 pages

FREE