“Why a plaque for \u00c9mile Muselier here?” you might wonder. This plaque commemorates Vice-Admiral \u00c9mile Muselier a man of Marseille. He was a key figure in the Free French Forces during World War II. Let’s delve into the story of \u00c9mile Muselier.
\u00c9mile Henry Muselier was born in Marseille on April 17 1882. He died in Toulon on September 2 1965. Muselier organized the Free French Naval Forces. He was the first general officer to join Charles de Gaulle in London. This happened as early as June 30 1940.
Muselier had the idea to distinguish the Free French Navy from Vichy’s. He adopted the Cross of Lorraine in memory of his father who had Lorraine origins. This cross became the emblem of Free France. \u00c9mile Muselier orchestrated the rallying of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to Free France on December 24 1941.
Entering the Naval School in 1899 Muselier’s career was brilliant and eventful. He unsuccessfully ran in the 1946 legislative elections. He was the vice-president of the Republican Union of the Left. Later he became a consulting engineer until 1960. Muselier is buried in Saint-Pierre Cemetery in Marseille.
His father Pierre-Victor was from Franche-Comt\u00e9 and Lorraine. He served in the Imperial Army and later in the telegraph administration. \u00c9mile’s maternal grandfather David Petit was a maritime broker and shipowner.
Passionate about the sea \u00c9mile Muselier joined the Naval School preparatory classes in 1896. He successfully passed the Naval Academy entrance exam in 1899.
His early career included campaigns in the Far East and the Adriatic. During World War I he fought on the Yser in Belgium. He commanded a marine artillery battery in Champagne. In 1916 he worked at the Ministry of Inventions developing smoke screens for ships.
In 1918 \u00c9mile Muselier commanded the aviso Scarpe. He faced mutinies in the Black Sea. His ship was the only one not to fly the red flag. In 1925 he commanded the destroyer Ouragan. Later he commanded the battleship Bretagne.
Joining General de Gaulle on July 1 1940 Muselier was appointed commander of the Free French naval and air forces. He proposed the Cross of Lorraine as an emblem. This was to counter the swastika. It became the symbol of the Free French movement.
In January 1941 British police arrested \u00c9mile Muselier on false charges of treason. De Gaulle defended him and secured his release. Despite this the incident strained their relationship.
Despite reservations \u00c9mile Muselier led the Free French takeover of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. This action angered President Roosevelt. Eventually Muselier resigned from his post.
After disagreements with de Gaulle \u00c9mile Muselier was sidelined in Algiers. De Gaulle appointed him head of the naval delegation to the Military Mission for German Affairs in 1944.
After the war \u00c9mile Muselier retired. He was a friend of Pierre Mend\u00e8s France. He entered politics briefly. He disapproved of the Indochina War. \u00c9mile Muselier died in Toulon in 1965. He was buried in Marseille. His grandson is politician Renaud Muselier.
\u00c9mile Muselier’s life was one of dedication to France. He faced challenges and controversies. He remains a significant figure in French history. This plaque serves as a reminder of his contributions.