Maurice Gamelin commanded the Allied Armies in France at the outbreak of the Second World War, a position he held until his dismissal in May 1940. Born in Paris in 1872, his career spanned the transition from traditional combat methods to the industrial-scale challenges of the twentieth century, eventually culminating in a role that placed him at the center of the Battle of France.
Early Education and Military Formation
Educated at the Collège Stanislas de Paris and the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr, Gamelin emerged from a family with a deep history of military service. His formative years were spent preparing for the rigorous demands of the French military establishment. After graduating, he pursued a career focused on military affairs, eventually ascending through the ranks to serve as a commander during both world wars.
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Gamelin served as Chief of Staff of the French Army from 1931 to 1938. In 1938, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, overseeing the operational strategy of the French military. His professional trajectory within the military hierarchy placed him in charge of substantial forces during a period marked by significant geopolitical instability in Europe.
Wartime Experience and Legacy
Throughout his service, Gamelin received numerous distinctions, including the Croix de Guerre and the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. He also held the Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta and was a Commander of the Order of Military Virtue. Following his death in 1958 in Paris, he was interred at the Passy Cemetery, leaving behind a long record of military service to France.
Fast facts
- Born: 1872, Paris
- Died: 1958, Paris
- Chief of Staff of the French Army: 1931-1938
- Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces: 1938-1940
- Citizenship: France
- Education: Collège Stanislas de Paris; École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr
- Burial place: Passy Cemetery
- Rank: General, Generalissimo, Army General
Questions readers ask
What senior positions did Maurice Gamelin hold?
He served as the Chief of Staff of the French Army from 1931 to 1938 and as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces from 1938 until 1940.
Where is Maurice Gamelin buried?
He is buried at the Passy Cemetery in Paris.
Achievements
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
- Educated at École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr and Collège Stanislas de Paris
- Worked as military personnel and military commander
