Sylvestre Gérard Audet
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FranceSylvestre Gérard Audet | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 18, 1883 Senlis, France |
| Died | April 27, 1972 (aged 89) Rennes, France |
| Allegiance | France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Service years | 1901–1942 |
| Rank | Général de corps d'armée |
| Commands | 1st Moroccan Division Corps expéditionnaire français en Scandinavie (CEFS) XXV Army Corps |
| Conflicts | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Legion of Honour Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 |
Sylvestre Gérard Audet (18 February 1883 – 27 April 1972) was a French Général de corps d'armée who commanded French forces during the Allied operations in Norway during World War II.
Audet graduated from the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr as part of the "Sud-Oranais" class (1901–1903).[1] He served extensively in the French colonial infantry, specifically within the Tirailleurs units in North Africa and Indochina. He held various staff positions during the interwar period and was promoted to brigadier general in 1937. At the beginning of World War II he commanded the 1st Moroccan Division of French Armée d'Afrique[2]
Norwegian Campaign
In April 1940, Audet was placed in command of the Corps expéditionnaire français en Scandinavie (CEFS). His mission was to support the Allied effort to reclaim the vital iron-ore port of Narvik. Under his direction, the 1st Light Mountain Division and elements of the French Foreign Legion conducted amphibious landings and mountain warfare around the city successfully capturing Narvik on 28 May 1940. However, the deteriorating situation in the Battle of France forced the Allies to withdraw from Norway, with Audet overseeing the evacuation of French troops in early June 1940.[3]