Free France’s Lion: The Life of Philippe Leclerc, de Gaulle’s Greatest General - Hardcover

Moore, William Mortimer

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1612000681 ISBN 13: 9781612000688

Publisher: Casemate Publishers, 2011

Synopsis

But for his early death, many Frenchmen believe Leclerc would have been their greatest figure to emerge from World War II. De Gaulle himself admitted to his son-in-law that he gave up smoking when Leclerc died, in case France needed him, because Leclerc was no longer there.From the fall of France until 1943, Leclerc dovetailed his operations with the British effort in North Africa, establishing himself as a dynamic combat leader in the battles against Rommel. But once the conflict shifted to European soil he became even more prominent as the commander of the 2nd French Armored Division. For the next two years he was under the operational control of either Patton's Third Army, Hodges' First Army, at the Westwall, or Patch's Seventh Army in the south. His career not only includes the liberation of Paris, for which he is most famous, but the retaking of Strasbourg and the reduction of the Colmar Pocket. Aside from a fast-paced narrative covering combat at all levels of command, Leclerc's story will make fascinating reading for any serious student of the full scope of World War II.

About this title

Review:

Overall, this is an excellent and enjoyable work, well worth a read for anyone with an interest in broadening his or her knowledge of the Second World War or the life of a very interesting and engaging man. Source: WarStudies Blog - Birmingham 13/11/2012

In the 21st Century, not many remember the man, what he stood for, and what he accomplished. Moore demonstrates conclusively that Leclerc truly served as a lion of Free France. Anyone who mocks the French for lack of fighting spirit would do well to read this book about a fine soldier and his men, and learn a little of history. Source: stonebooks.com

[The] first full-scale biography in English of the ‘liberator of Paris.’ . . .the descriptions of Leclerc’s military strategies and tactics are engaging . . . Source: Publishers Weekly

About the Author:

Of Anglo-Dutch descent, William Mortimer-Moore was born in 1958 and educated at Dean Close School and University College, Cardiff. He has always wanted to write and, after a detour involving advertising copywriting, property, building and a couple of unpublished novels, William decided to address his love of history and France by writing this biography of Leclerc. He lives in Cheltenham in the United Kingdom where he is presently writing a book about Paris during 1944.

About this edition

• Publisher: Casemate Publishers
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1612000681
• ISBN 13: 9781612000688
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 384