Jean Bréchignac
Encyclopedia
Jean Bréchignac was a French Army
officer that fought in World War II
, First Indochina War
and Algerian War. He led the 2nd Battalion, 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment
(1er RCP) in Indochina, most notable during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu
, and the 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment
in Algeria. His career ended when he took part in the 1961 Algiers putsch against the French government. He was described as one of the most accomplished officers of his period by Jules Roy
.
and fought in World War II
. Bréchignac was given command of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment
(1er RCP), which arrived in Indochina on 17 January 1953, taking part in several airborne operations, most notable the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. He and most of his battalion jumped into Dien Bien Phu during the night of 3/4 April. Bréchignac was captured at the end of the battle; he was amongst the minority that survived Viet Minh
captivity.
Bréchignac commanded the 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment
from 1959 to 1961. He took part in the 1961 Algiers putsch against the French government, when it failed he was sentenced to two years imprisonment with suspended death sentence on 26 June.
He received thirteen citations during his career.
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
officer that fought in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, 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...
and Algerian War. He led the 2nd Battalion, 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment
1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment
The 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment is an airborne unit of the French Army. It was the first French parachute regiment and is today part of the 11th Parachute Brigade.-Organisation:*Command and Logistic “Yellow” Company*Support and Lightning “Blue” Company...
(1er RCP) in Indochina, most notable during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu
Battle of Dien Bien Phu
The Battle of Dien Bien Phu was the climactic confrontation of the First Indochina War between the French Union's French Far East Expeditionary Corps and Viet Minh communist revolutionaries. The battle occurred between March and May 1954 and culminated in a comprehensive French defeat that...
, and the 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment
9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment
The 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment was an airborne unit of the French Army. It was formed during the Algerian War, during which it fought its most notable engagement: the Battle of Souk Ahras. It didn’t take part in the 1961 Algiers Putsch. The regiment took part in numerous overseas operations...
in Algeria. His career ended when he took part in the 1961 Algiers putsch against the French government. He was described as one of the most accomplished officers of his period by Jules Roy
Jules Roy
Jules Roy was a French writer. "Prolific and polemical" Roy, born an Algerian pied noir and sent to a Roman Catholic seminary, used his experiences as the French colony and during his service in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War to inspire a number of his words...
.
Biography
He was a graduated from Saint-Cyr Military AcademyÉcole Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr
The École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr is the foremost French military academy. Its official name is . It is often referred to as Saint-Cyr . Its motto is "Ils s'instruisent pour vaincre": literally "They study to vanquish" or "Training for victory"...
and fought in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Bréchignac was given command of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment
1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment
The 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment is an airborne unit of the French Army. It was the first French parachute regiment and is today part of the 11th Parachute Brigade.-Organisation:*Command and Logistic “Yellow” Company*Support and Lightning “Blue” Company...
(1er RCP), which arrived in Indochina on 17 January 1953, taking part in several airborne operations, most notable the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. He and most of his battalion jumped into Dien Bien Phu during the night of 3/4 April. Bréchignac was captured at the end of the battle; he was amongst the minority that survived Viet Minh
Viet Minh
Việt Minh was a national independence coalition formed at Pac Bo on May 19, 1941. The Việt Minh initially formed to seek independence for Vietnam from the French Empire. When the Japanese occupation began, the Việt Minh opposed Japan with support from the United States and the Republic of China...
captivity.
Bréchignac commanded the 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment
9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment
The 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment was an airborne unit of the French Army. It was formed during the Algerian War, during which it fought its most notable engagement: the Battle of Souk Ahras. It didn’t take part in the 1961 Algiers Putsch. The regiment took part in numerous overseas operations...
from 1959 to 1961. He took part in the 1961 Algiers putsch against the French government, when it failed he was sentenced to two years imprisonment with suspended death sentence on 26 June.
Decorations
- Commander of the Légion d’honneur
- Croix de guerre 1939-1945Croix de guerre 1939-1945 (France)The Croix de guerre 1939–1945 is a French military decoration created on September 26, 1939, to honour people who fought with the Allies against the Axis force at any time during World War II.-Recipients:...
- Croix de guerre des Théatres d'Opérations ExterieuresCroix 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:...
- Croix de la Valeur MilitaireCroix de la Valeur MilitaireThe Croix de la Valeur Militaire is a military decoration of France that recognizes individual holding a mention in Dispatches earned in theaters of operations which are not subject to the award of the Croix de guerre....
He received thirteen citations during his career.