Jean Raoux (soldier)

Jean Raoux
Born 1916
Dellys, Algeria
Died 11 January 2004
Paris, France
Allegiance  France
 Free French Forces
Service/branch Army
Years of service 1939–1972
Rank Général de brigade
Battles/wars Second World War
Indochina
Algeria
Awards Officier de la Légion d'honneur
Croix de guerre 1939-1945
Croix de Guerre des TOE
Croix de la Valeur militaire

Jean Raoux (1916 – 11 January 2004) was a French général de brigade, who began his career during the Second World War and later fought in Indochina and Algeria

Life

Early life

Jean Raoux was particularly noted for his knowledge of Arabic, completed by a licence ès-lettres. In his youth he frequently met with the writer Albert Camus in Algiers.

Education

Second World War

Indochina

Also whilst in Indchina he was councillor to his majesty Norodom Sihanouk, king of Cambodia, as well as Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny's personal English translator. He also met Graham Greene in Indochina and advised him on the publication of his The Quiet American.

Algeria

Later career

Decorations

Honours

Citations

He won six citations, of which two were in dispatches.

Tunisian campaign (citation in the divisional orders with the Croix de guerre)

A young company commander full of distinction, he distinguished himself, repeatedly engaging his unit and particularly in the valley of Oued Kebir on 17 and 25 April 1943, installing his artillery in difficult conditions under heavy fire. He then completed many missions in the plain of Pont-du-Thas, on 27, 28 and 29 April. Under heavy artillery and infantry fire he found the body of a chef de bataillon killed that morning. He continued [fighting] in the battles of 9 to 12 May (Nord de Zaghouan) to guarantee connections under violent enemy artillery fire.

French campaign (three days after entering the campaign)

An energetic and brave young officer, on 27 September 1944 he and his section were charged with covering the clearance of axis M...- la ch... Conducting an advance in force of several kilometres neutralising repeated resistance where pointing to the tanks and clearing his section in a final assault that left eight prisoners in his hands.
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