Pierre Jules André Marie de La Font (9 July 1885 – 7 July 1963) was a

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

general of

cavalry Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from "cheval" meaning "horse") are soldiers or warriors who fight mounted on horseback. Cavalry were the most mobile of the combat arms, operating as light cavalry ...

Biography

Graduating from Saint-Cyr in 1906, he took courses at the Cavalry School at Saumur 1907. In 1915, at his request, he left the cavalry and was assigned to the infantry. He was mentioned 4 times, mainly for dangerous reconnaissance. At the beginning of World War II , he commanded the Cavalry School at Saumur and established the 5th Light Mechanized Brigade with which he fought during the

Battle of Belgium The invasion of Belgium or Belgian campaign (10–28 May 1940), often referred to within Belgium as the 18 Days' Campaign (french: Campagne des 18 jours, nl, Achttiendaagse Veldtocht), formed part of the greater Battle of France, an Military o ...

. He next became the commander of the 3rd Light Mechanized Division and was evacuated at

Dunkirk Dunkirk (french: Dunkerque ; vls, label=French Flemish, Duunkerke; nl, Duinkerke(n) ; , ;) is a commune in the department of Nord in northern France.4th Armored Division. By 1941 he became General Officer Commanding the Vichy French 7th Military Division. He became the Deputy Chief of Staff of the

Armistice Army The Armistice Army or Vichy French Army (french: Armée de l'Armistice) was the common name for the armed forces of Vichy France permitted under the Armistice of 22 June 1940 after the French capitulation to Nazi Germany and Italy. It was off ...

and Inspector of Cavalry he was sacked before being put on leave on 1 March 1943. de La Font was appointed by

Henri Giraud Henri Honoré Giraud (18 January 1879 – 11 March 1949) was a French general and a leader of the Free French Forces during the Second World War until he was forced to retire in 1944. Born to an Alsatian family in Paris, Giraud graduated from ...

to succeed

Aubert Frère This surname has Anglo-Saxon pre-8th century origins; spelling variations include Albert, Albertson and Alberts in English names. It is derived from the Old German compound 'Aedelbeort' meaning 'noble-bright'. However, many sources show it as a Fre ...

as the leader of the

ORA ORA or Ora may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Ora'' (film), a 2011 experimental dance film * Rita Ora (born 1990), British-Albanian singer-songwriter and actress * ''Ora'' (Jovanotti album), 2011 * ''Ora'' (Rita Ora album), 2012 * "Ora" ...

after Frère was arrested. However, the letter was intercepted by the

Gestapo The (), abbreviated Gestapo (; ), was the official secret police of Nazi Germany and in German-occupied Europe. The force was created by Hermann Göring in 1933 by combining the various political police agencies of Prussia into one organi ...

and by chance de La Font escaped arrest at the end of July. de La Font went into hiding for the rest of the German occupation.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Font, Pierre Jules de la 1885 births 1963 deaths French military personnel of World War II French military personnel of World War I École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr alumni