Giraud, Henri

(general) (1879-1949)

   military figure

   Born in Paris and educated at Saint-Cyr, Henri Giraud served in World War I (1914-18) and in Morocco (1923-26). Made commander of the 9th French Army during World War II (May 1940), he was taken prisoner but escaped in April 1942. After the assassination of Admiral François darlan (December 1942), he was made, with American support, military and civilian high commissioner in North and West Africa. Despite his hostility to General charles de gaulle, he became copresident with him of the French Committee of National Liberation (CFLN), established in Algiers in June 1943, and was named commander in chief of all French forces. Progressively replaced by de Gaulle, General Giraud resigned the copresidency (November 1943), then his post as commander in chief (April 1944). He had meanwhile reconstituted a French army (FFL) in North Africa, reequipped by the Americans, and he played a preponderant role in the victories in Tunisia, in the Italian campaign, and in the liberation of Corsica.