Rhine and Danube Crest and Marshal's Baton
Jean-Marie Gabriel de Lattre de Tassigny
Born February 2, 1889 in Mouilleron-en-Pareds (Vendée), left Saint Cyr in 1911, he served in the cavalry during the First War. Major of the War School in 1935, he was the youngest general in 1939, commanding the 14th infantry division which distinguished itself at Rethel and on the Loire. Appointed by Vichy supreme commander of the troops of Tunisia (1941), then commander of the 16th Division of Montpellier (1942), he tried to reach the maquis during the invasion of the free zone by the Germans. Arrested and degraded, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He escapes and reaches Algiers. Commander of the 1st French Army, he landed in Provence (August 16, 1944), went up the Rhône valley, reconquered Alsace (January 1945), achieved the amalgamation with the FFI, he crossed the Rhine, reached the Danube. On May 9, 1945, he received the German capitulation in Berlin. In 1948, he was Commander-in-Chief of the Western Union Land Forces. High commissioner and commander-in-chief in Indochina (50-52), he set up a national Vietnamese army. He died on January 11, 1952, the title of Marshal of France was conferred on him posthumously during the funeral.
Created in 1954, the Maréchal de Lattre Foundation’s mission is to provide moral and material assistance:
- to victims of war, when a complement to the action of the public authorities appears essential and urgent.
- military personnel serving for the defense of French communities and interests, and, where applicable, their families.
- to those hired at the end of their contract, the unemployed, for their retraining, and their families.
In addition, the Maréchal de Lattre Foundation aims to maintain, in the French Republic and abroad, the memory of the greatness of the sacrifice made by the fighters of the Republic.
It recalls the memory of Marshal Jean De Lattre de Tassigny, Commander-in-Chief of the 1st French Army from November 1943 to May 8, 1945, the date on which he signed for France the surrender of Nazi Germany.
It participates in the duty of memory through the testimony of experiences lived during the Second World War under the command of General De Lattre de Tassigny carried to educational establishments which request it.
Born February 2, 1889 in Mouilleron-en-Pareds (Vendée), left Saint Cyr in 1911, he served in the cavalry during the First War. Major of the War School in 1935, he was the youngest general in 1939, commanding the 14th infantry division which distinguished itself at Rethel and on the Loire. Appointed by Vichy supreme commander of the troops of Tunisia (1941), then commander of the 16th Division of Montpellier (1942), he tried to reach the maquis during the invasion of the free zone by the Germans. Arrested and degraded, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He escapes and reaches Algiers. Commander of the 1st French Army, he landed in Provence (August 16, 1944), went up the Rhône valley, reconquered Alsace (January 1945), achieved the amalgamation with the FFI, he crossed the Rhine, reached the Danube. On May 9, 1945, he received the German capitulation in Berlin. In 1948, he was Commander-in-Chief of the Western Union Land Forces. High commissioner and commander-in-chief in Indochina (50-52), he set up a national Vietnamese army. He died on January 11, 1952, the title of Marshal of France was conferred on him posthumously during the funeral.
Created in 1954, the Maréchal de Lattre Foundation’s mission is to provide moral and material assistance:
- to victims of war, when a complement to the action of the public authorities appears essential and urgent.
- military personnel serving for the defense of French communities and interests, and, where applicable, their families.
- to those hired at the end of their contract, the unemployed, for their retraining, and their families.
In addition, the Maréchal de Lattre Foundation aims to maintain, in the French Republic and abroad, the memory of the greatness of the sacrifice made by the fighters of the Republic.
It recalls the memory of Marshal Jean De Lattre de Tassigny, Commander-in-Chief of the 1st French Army from November 1943 to May 8, 1945, the date on which he signed for France the surrender of Nazi Germany.
It participates in the duty of memory through the testimony of experiences lived during the Second World War under the command of General De Lattre de Tassigny carried to educational establishments which request it.