Georges Thierry d'Argenlieu
Encyclopedia
Georges Thierry d'Argenlieu, in religion Louis de la Trinité (7 August 1889 - 7 September 1964) was a priest, diplomat and French Navy
officer and admiral; he became one of the major personalities of the Free French Forces
and the Forces navales françaises libres. He was the chancellor of the Ordre de la Libération
.
on 7 August 1889, in a family of Navy officers. He joined the École navale (Naval Academy) at 17.
He served on the Du Chayla as a midshipman, taking part in the campaign in Morocco
which led to the Treaty of Fez
, in 1912. During the campaign, he was awarded the Legion of Honour, and befriended Hubert Lyautey
, something that d'Argenlieu later recalled as one of the happy memories in his life.
in 1917. The next year, commanding officer of a patrol boat, the Tourterelle, he distinguished himself in the rescue of a troop transport.
religious order of the Discalced Carmelites
as Louis de la Trinité. He made his vow on 15 September 1921, and studies for four years in the Catholic university of Lille
. In 1932, he was made Provincial Superior of Paris.
in 1940. During the Battle of France
, d'Argenlieu was captured as he was defending the arsenal of Cherbourg. After three days, he escaped from the prisoner train to Germany and joined Charles de Gaulle
on the 30 June.
D'Argenlieu joined the Free French Forces
, intending to serve as chaplain, but eventually took on the duties of a fighting naval officer, with a special authorisation of his religious superiors, due to the small number of Navy officers in the Free French Naval Forces
. He was made chief of staff in July.
He attempted to convince the then Vichy-loyal
governor of Dakar
to join De Gaulle, and was severely wounded when he was fired upon in his small and unarmed craft on 23 September 1940, during battle of Dakar
. In November, he directed successful operations
in Gabon
.
D'Argenlieu was made a capitaine de vaisseau
, and chancellor of the newly created Ordre de la Libération
. In 1941, he rose to counter-admiral; he undertook several missions to administer French colonies loyal to Free France.
In 1943, he was made commanding officer for the naval forces in Great Britain
On 14 June 1944, he ferried de Gaulle to France aboard the Combattante
, and entered Paris with him on the 25 August.
as part of the French Far East Expeditionary Corps
to restore the French colonial administration. In 1946, he was promoted to vice-amiral d'escadre
, and soon later to admiral
.
During the First Indochina War
, the actions of d'Argenlieu grew more and more controversial, and he was replaced by Emile Bollaert in March 1947. Back to France, he was made inspector general of the Naval Forces, before retiring in a convent.
and withdrew to monastery life again. He died on 7 September 1964 in Brest and was buried in Avrechy
.
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
officer and admiral; he became one of the major personalities of the Free French Forces
Free French Forces
The Free French Forces were French partisans in World War II who decided to continue fighting against the forces of the Axis powers after the surrender of France and subsequent German occupation and, in the case of Vichy France, collaboration with the Germans.-Definition:In many sources, Free...
and the Forces navales françaises libres. He was the chancellor of the Ordre de la Libération
Ordre de la Libération
The Ordre de la Libération is a French Order awarded to heroes of the Liberation of France during World War II. It is an exceptional honor, the second highest after the Légion d’Honneur and only a small number of people and military units have received it, exclusively for deeds accomplished...
.
Early career
Georges Thierry d'Argenlieu was born in BrestBrest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
on 7 August 1889, in a family of Navy officers. He joined the École navale (Naval Academy) at 17.
He served on the Du Chayla as a midshipman, taking part in the campaign in Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
which led to the Treaty of Fez
Treaty of Fez
By the Treaty of Fez , signed March 30, 1912, Sultan Abdelhafid gave up the sovereignty of Morocco to the French, making the country a protectorate, resolving the Agadir Crisis of July 1, 1911....
, in 1912. During the campaign, he was awarded the Legion of Honour, and befriended Hubert Lyautey
Hubert Lyautey
Louis Hubert Gonzalve Lyautey was a French Army general, the first Resident-General in Morocco from 1912 to 1925 and from 1921 Marshal of France.-Early life:...
, something that d'Argenlieu later recalled as one of the happy memories in his life.
First World War
During the First World War, he served in the Mediterranean; in 1915, he took his first steps toward joining a monastic order, while continuing to serve in the Navy; he was promoted to lieutenant de vaisseauRanks in the French Navy
The rank insignia of the French Navy are worn on shoulder straps of shirts and white jackets, and on sleeves for navy jackets and mantels....
in 1917. The next year, commanding officer of a patrol boat, the Tourterelle, he distinguished himself in the rescue of a troop transport.
Religious career
At the end of the war, d'Argenlieu undertook theological studies in Rome, and joined thereligious order of the Discalced Carmelites
Discalced Carmelites
The Discalced Carmelites, or Barefoot Carmelites, is a Catholic mendicant order with roots in the eremitic tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers...
as Louis de la Trinité. He made his vow on 15 September 1921, and studies for four years in the Catholic university of Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
. In 1932, he was made Provincial Superior of Paris.
Second World War
In September 1939, d'Argenlieu was mobilised as a reserve Navy officer, rising to the rank of capitaine de corvetteRanks in the French Navy
The rank insignia of the French Navy are worn on shoulder straps of shirts and white jackets, and on sleeves for navy jackets and mantels....
in 1940. During the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
, d'Argenlieu was captured as he was defending the arsenal of Cherbourg. After three days, he escaped from the prisoner train to Germany and joined Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969....
on the 30 June.
D'Argenlieu joined the Free French Forces
Free French Forces
The Free French Forces were French partisans in World War II who decided to continue fighting against the forces of the Axis powers after the surrender of France and subsequent German occupation and, in the case of Vichy France, collaboration with the Germans.-Definition:In many sources, Free...
, intending to serve as chaplain, but eventually took on the duties of a fighting naval officer, with a special authorisation of his religious superiors, due to the small number of Navy officers in the Free French Naval Forces
Free French Naval Forces
Les Forces Navales Françaises Libres were the naval arm of the Free French Forces during the Second World War. They were commanded by Admiral Emile Muselier.- History :...
. He was made chief of staff in July.
He attempted to convince the then Vichy-loyal
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
governor of Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
to join De Gaulle, and was severely wounded when he was fired upon in his small and unarmed craft on 23 September 1940, during battle of Dakar
Battle of Dakar
The Battle of Dakar, also known as Operation Menace, was an unsuccessful attempt in September 1940 by the Allies to capture the strategic port of Dakar in French West Africa , which was under Vichy French control, and to install the Free French under General Charles de Gaulle there.-Background:At...
. In November, he directed successful operations
Battle of Gabon
The Battle of Gabon or the Battle of Libreville was part of the West African Campaign of World War II fought in November 1940. The battle resulted in the Free French forces under General Charles de Gaulle taking Libreville, Gabon, and taking all of French Equatorial Africa from Vichy French...
in Gabon
Gabon
Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west...
.
D'Argenlieu was made a capitaine de vaisseau
Ranks in the French Navy
The rank insignia of the French Navy are worn on shoulder straps of shirts and white jackets, and on sleeves for navy jackets and mantels....
, and chancellor of the newly created Ordre de la Libération
Ordre de la Libération
The Ordre de la Libération is a French Order awarded to heroes of the Liberation of France during World War II. It is an exceptional honor, the second highest after the Légion d’Honneur and only a small number of people and military units have received it, exclusively for deeds accomplished...
. In 1941, he rose to counter-admiral; he undertook several missions to administer French colonies loyal to Free France.
In 1943, he was made commanding officer for the naval forces in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
On 14 June 1944, he ferried de Gaulle to France aboard the Combattante
French destroyer La Combattante
The Combattante was a destroyer of the Forces navales françaises libres . A British-built Hunt class destroyer, she was offered to the Free French in 1942.-History:...
, and entered Paris with him on the 25 August.
First Indochina War
After the defeat of Japan, d'Argenlieu was sent to French IndochinaFrench Indochina
French Indochina was part of the French colonial empire in southeast Asia. A federation of the three Vietnamese regions, Tonkin , Annam , and Cochinchina , as well as Cambodia, was formed in 1887....
as part of the French Far East Expeditionary Corps
French Far East Expeditionary Corps
The French Far East Expeditionary Corps was a colonial expeditionary force of the French Union Army sent in French Indochina in 1945 during the Pacific War.-Pacific War :...
to restore the French colonial administration. In 1946, he was promoted to vice-amiral d'escadre
Ranks in the French Navy
The rank insignia of the French Navy are worn on shoulder straps of shirts and white jackets, and on sleeves for navy jackets and mantels....
, and soon later to admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
.
During the First Indochina War
First Indochina War
The First Indochina War was fought in French Indochina from December 19, 1946, until August 1, 1954, between the French Union's French Far East...
, the actions of d'Argenlieu grew more and more controversial, and he was replaced by Emile Bollaert in March 1947. Back to France, he was made inspector general of the Naval Forces, before retiring in a convent.
After the War
In 1958, sick, he resigned his position of chancellor of the Ordre de la LibérationOrdre de la Libération
The Ordre de la Libération is a French Order awarded to heroes of the Liberation of France during World War II. It is an exceptional honor, the second highest after the Légion d’Honneur and only a small number of people and military units have received it, exclusively for deeds accomplished...
and withdrew to monastery life again. He died on 7 September 1964 in Brest and was buried in Avrechy
Avrechy
Avrechy is a village in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune within the département of Oise.-References:*...
.
Honours
- Grand Cross of the Légion d'HonneurLégion d'honneurThe Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
- Compagnon de la Libération
- Médaille MilitaireMédaille militaireThe Médaille militaire is a decoration of the French Republic which was first instituted in 1852.-History:The creator of the médaille was the emperor Napoléon III, who may have taken his inspiration in a medal issued by his father, Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland...
- Croix de GuerreCroix de guerreThe Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
39 - 45 with 3 palms - Croix de Guerre des Théâtres d'Opérations Extérieures (TOE)Croix de guerre des Théatres d'Opérations ExterieuresThe Croix de guerre des théâtres d’opérations extérieures is a French medal rewarded for military service in foreign countries. It is granted to individuals who have received citations for their actions while engaged in military service overseas.-History:...
with palm - Médaille de la RésistanceMédaille de la RésistanceThe French Médaille de la Résistance was awarded by General Charles de Gaulle "to recognise the remarkable acts of faith and of courage that, in France, in the empire and abroad, have contributed to the resistance of the French people against the enemy and against its accomplices since June 18,...
avec rosette - Insigne des blessés militairesInsigne des blessés militairesThe Insigne des blessés militaires is a French military decoration for wounds received in the line of duty.-History:It was instituted by a law of 11 December 1916, after an idea by the nationalist writer Maurice Barrès...
- Médaille du Sauvetage
- Médaille du Maroc
- Belgian Croix de GuerreCroix de guerreThe Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
with palm - Commander of the Order of LéopoldOrder of LéopoldThe Order of Leopold is one of the three Belgian national honorary orders of knighthood. It is the highest order of Belgium and is named in honour of King Leopold I. It consists of a military, a maritime and a civilian division...
(Belgium) - Companion of the Order of the BathOrder of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
(UK)
Works
- La Croix de la Libération, Paris 1951
- Chroniques d'Indochine 1945-1947, Paris 1985
- Souvenirs de Guerre : juin 1940-janvier 1941, Paris 1973