Pause for a moment here at the Stèle mémorielle du Général Leclerc. This monument honors a remarkable figure in French history. It stands as a testament to courage, leadership and sacrifice.
The Stèle mémorielle du Général Leclerc commemorates Marshal Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque. He was a Free French general during World War II. Leclerc became Marshal of France posthumously in 1952. In France he is simply known as le maréchal Leclerc or just Leclerc.
Born in 1902, Philippe de Hauteclocque came from an aristocratic family. He graduated from École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr in 1924. During World War II, he defied his government’s Armistice. He made his way to Britain to fight with the Free French under General Charles de Gaulle. To protect his family, he adopted the nom de guerre Leclerc.
Leclerc was sent to French Equatorial Africa. He rallied local leaders to the Free French cause. From Chad, he led raids into Italian Libya. After his forces captured Kufra, he had his men swear an oath. It is known today as the Serment de Koufra. They pledged to fight on until their flag flew over the Strasbourg Cathedral.
The forces under Leclerc’s command campaigned in Libya in 1943. They covered the Eighth Army’s inland flank during its advance into Tunisia. Later, his force was transformed into the 2e Division Blindée. It was often referred to as La Division Leclerc. This division fought under Leclerc’s command in the Battle of Normandy. It also participated in the liberation of Paris and Strasbourg.
After the war, Leclerc was given command of the French Far East Expeditionary Corps. He represented France at the surrender of the Japanese Empire in Tokyo Bay in 1945. Leclerc perceived the need for a political solution to the conflict in Indochina.
Sadly, Leclerc died in an air crash in Algeria in 1947. He was posthumously made a Marshal of France. The Leclerc tank is named after him.
This Stèle mémorielle du Général Leclerc stands in the Petit-Montrouge quarter. It is near the Square du Serment-de-Koufra. It serves as a permanent reminder of Leclerc’s contributions. It also honors the oath he and his men swore. The Stèle mémorielle du Général Leclerc reminds us of the price of freedom.