Origins & Early Life

Philippe François Marie Leclerc de Hauteclocque (22 November 1902 – 28 November 1947) was a Free-French general during World War II. He became Marshal of France posthumously in 1952, and is known in France simply as le maréchal Leclerc or just Leclerc. The son of an aristocratic family, Hauteclocque graduated from the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr, the French military academy, in 1924. After service with the French occupation of the Ruhr and in Morocco, he returned to Saint-Cyr as an instructor.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was awarded the croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures for leading goumiers in an attack on caves and ravines on Bou Amdoun on 11 August 1933. During the Second World War he fought in the Battle of France. He was one of the first who defied his government's armistice to make his way to Britain to fight with the Free French under General Charles de Gaulle, adopting the nom de guerre of Leclerc so that his wife and children would not be put at risk if his name appeared in the papers. He was sent to French Equatorial Africa, where he rallied local leaders to the rebel Free French cause, and led a force against Gabon, whose leaders supported the French (Vichy) Government...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abe Saperstein — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Founder of the Harlem Globetrotters, revolutionized black basketball.
• Alfred Kastler — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Pioneering physicist known for developing the technique of optical pumping.
• Allen Lane — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Pioneering British publisher who founded Penguin Books, bringing literature to the masses.
• Al Capone — Contemporary (Died in 1947) (1947): Notorious American gangster and businessman during the Prohibition era.
• Alan Guth — Contemporary (Born in 1947) (1947): Pioneering cosmologist known for developing the theory of cosmic inflation.
• Alan Sugar — Contemporary (Born in 1947) (1947): Pioneering British entrepreneur, founder of Amstrad, and TV personality.
• Aldous Huxley — Shared historical date (11-22 · Died) (1963): English writer and philosopher known for social satire and mystical explorations.
• André Gide — Shared historical date (11-22 · Born) (1869): Pioneering French author, Nobel laureate known for exploring selfhood and transgression.
• ʻAbdu'l-Bahá — Shared historical date (11-28 · Died) (1921): Successor to Baháʼu'lláh and guiding light of the Baháʼí Faith.
• Adria Petty — Shared historical date (11-28 · Born) (1974): American director, editor, and artist known for music video work with Beyoncé.
• 1902 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1902
• November 22 (11-22) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 22
• 1947 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1947
• November 28 (11-28) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 28