André Lalande (soldier)
| André Lalande | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 May 1913 Rennes, France |
| Died | 19 October 1995 (aged 82) Brive-la-Gaillarde, France |
| Allegiance |
 France
|
| Service/branch |
French Army Chasseurs Alpins  French Foreign Legion
|
| Years of service | 1931-1973 |
| Rank | Général de corps d'armée |
| Commands held |
3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment French Army Light Aviation 11th Light Intervention Division |
| Battles/wars |
World War II *Battle of Narvik *Battle of Bir Hakeim *disembarking in Provence *Battle of Alsace First Indochina War *Battle of Dien Bien Phu Algerian War |
| Awards | Grand officier de la Légion d'honneur Compagnon de la Libération  Médaille de la Résistance Croix de guerre 1939-1945 Croix de guerre des TOE Croix de la Valeur militaire |
| Other work | Chief of the Military Staff of the President of the Republic |
André Lalande (26 May 1913 – 19 October 1995) was a French Army officer and general in the Chasseurs Alpins and French Foreign Legion. He fought during the World War II at the heart of the Free French Forces, then in Indochina and Algeria.
A graduate of École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr, promotion of Tafilalet 1931-1933, he was assigned as a sous-lieutenant at Metz.
In 1937, following his request, he was assigned to the 6th Alpins Chasseurs Battalion (French: ). The unit was combat engaged in Norway during the Battle of Narvik from April to June 1940, where he was wounded.
Since July 1940 and during the war, Lalande joined the Free French Forces. In December of 1941, he was assigned to the 13th Demi-Brigade of Foreign Legion 13e DBLE garrisoned in Beirut. It was with this unit that he combat engaged to the Battle of Bir Hakeim in May 1942, a battle during which he was wounded in action again.
Promoted to Chef de Battaillon on June 1943 of the war, he assumed command of the 1st Battalion of the phalange magnifique. His unit was part of 1st Free French Division and partook to the assault against the Gustave line in Italy in the spring of 1944, as well as to the disembarking in Provence on August 1944. He then participated to the Battle of Alsace (French: ) in the Alpes on April 1945.
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