Free French brigade commander who held up Rommel's offensive for over two weeks at Bir Hakeim
Born in Caen to parents from Alsace, he fought in the First World War and served with the 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion. After taking part in the French expedition to Norway in spring 1940, he escaped from Brittany to England when France fell and joined Charles de Gaulle in London. At the Battle of Gazala in 1942 he led the 1st Free French Brigade in holding Bir Hakeim from 26 May to 11 June and then broke out. After the war he was military governor of the French occupation zone in Germany (1945–1949) and twice minister of defence in the 1950s. He was posthumously made a Marshal of France in 1984.
Also known as: Marie-Pierre Kœnig
Activities and affiliations
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1917–1950
France state institutionsCommander, 1st Free French BrigadeMain
Military command -
1954–1956
France state institutionsMinister of National Defence
Government and administration
Career Timeline
- 1940Joins de Gaulle in London
- 1942Defence of Bir Hakeim
- 1945–1949Military governor, French zone of Germany