Christian de Castries facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christian de Castries
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| Born | 11 August 1902 Paris, France |
| Died | 29 July 1991 (aged 88) Paris, France |
| Allegiance |  France |
| Service/ |
French Army |
| Years of service | 1921-1959 |
| Rank | General de brigade |
| Commands held | Mobile Group 2 Mobile Group 1 Operational Group North-West |
| Battles/wars | |
Christian Marie Ferdinand de la Croix de Castries (11 August 1902 – 29 July 1991) was a French military leader. He is best known for being the commander during the important Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. This battle was a big part of the First Indochina War.
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Christian de Castries: A Military Life
Christian de Castries came from a family with a long history in the military. He joined the army when he was 19 years old. He went to a special school called Saumur Cavalry School. In 1926, he became a cavalry officer. But he later left the army for a while to focus on horse riding sports.
World War II Service
When World War II began, he rejoined the army. He was captured in 1940 but bravely escaped from a German prisoner camp in 1941. He then fought alongside the Allied forces in many places. These included North Africa, Italy, and France. He ended the war leading a group of Moroccan cavalry soldiers. He often wore their special red cap.
Fighting in Indochina
In 1946, de Castries was sent to French Indochina. This area is now Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. He led a battalion of Moroccan soldiers there. He was injured and spent a year recovering in France. After he got better, he returned to Vietnam as a full colonel.
The Battle of Dien Bien Phu
In December 1953, he was put in charge of defending the fortress of Dien Bien Phu. This was a very important battle against the Viet Minh forces. The Viet Minh were fighting for Vietnam's independence. The battle lasted for eight weeks. Near the end, de Castries was promoted to brigadier general.
The French forces were defeated by the Viet Minh on 7 May 1954. This battle effectively ended the First Indochina War. It also marked the end of France's presence in Southeast Asia. Christian de Castries was held as a prisoner for four months. He was released after a peace agreement was reached in Geneva.
Later Life and Retirement
After returning to France, de Castries was given command of the 5th Armored Division. This division was stationed in West Germany at the time. He retired from the military in 1959 after being in a car accident. Later, he led a recycling company. He passed away in Paris on 29 July 1991.
