Joseph Gallieni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marshal
Joseph Gallieni
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Gallieni in 1910
|
|
| 112th Minister of War | |
| In office 29 October 1915 – 16 March 1916 |
|
| President | Raymond Poincaré |
| Prime Minister | Aristide Briand |
| Preceded by | Alexandre Millerand |
| Succeeded by | Pierre Roques |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 April 1849 Saint-Béat, French Republic |
| Died | 27 May 1916 (aged 67) Versailles, French Republic |
| Nationality | French |
| Spouse | Marthe Savelli |
| Children | Théodore François Gaëtan Gallieni |
| Alma mater |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Second Empire Third Republic |
| Branch/service | French Army
|
| Years of service | 1868 – 1916 |
| Rank | Division general |
| Commands |
|
| Battles/wars | Franco-Prussian War World War I |
Joseph Simon Gallieni (born April 24, 1849 – died May 27, 1916) was a French soldier. He spent most of his career as a military leader and administrator in France's colonies. In Madagascar, Gallieni is known for sending Queen Ranavalona III away. He also ended the 350-year-old monarchy on the island.
He was called back from retirement when the First World War began. As the Military Governor of Paris, he played a key role in the First Battle of the Marne. His forces, the Sixth Army, attacked the German army's side. Some soldiers were even rushed to the front in Paris taxicabs.
From October 1915, he served as the Minister of War. He resigned in March 1916. This was after he criticized the French Commander-in-Chief, Joseph Joffre, during the German attack on Verdun. Gallieni was later made a Marshal of France in 1921, after his death.
Early Life and Military Start
Joseph Gallieni was born in 1849 in Saint-Beat, France. His family had roots in Corsica and Italy. His father was a captain in the army.
He went to military schools, including the Prytanée Militaire and the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr. He became a Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment. He then fought in the Franco-Prussian War.
Gallieni fought at the Battle of Sedan. He was captured at Bazeilles. While a prisoner, he learned German. He even kept a notebook in German, English, and Italian.
Serving in the Colonies
Gallieni became a Lieutenant in 1873. His work in the colonies started in 1876 in Senegal. He was promoted to Captain in 1878. He led an expedition to the upper Niger River. He also served in Reunion and Martinique.
In 1886, he became governor of the French Sudan. He successfully stopped a rebellion there. He was known for expanding French influence peacefully in West Africa.
From 1892 to 1896, he was a colonel in French Indochina. He commanded a military division in Tonkin. In 1894, he led actions against a local leader named Đề Thám.
Governor of Madagascar
In 1896, Gallieni was promoted to General. He was made Governor of Madagascar, which was a new French colony. Many French soldiers had died from disease there.
In August 1896, Gallieni reorganized the French forces. He captured and executed several rebel leaders. In early 1897, he ended the Malagasy monarchy. He sent Queen Ranavalona III away to Reunion.
Gallieni used a method called tache d’huile (the "oil spot" method). This meant expanding control slowly and peacefully from a secure area. He also focused on administration. He built roads, a railway, markets, medical services, and schools.
In 1905, Gallieni supported a law called the code de l’indigenat. This law allowed French officials to give quick punishments. These could include physical punishment or taking property.
Return to France
In 1905, Gallieni became the Military Governor of Lyon. He also commanded the Army of the Alps. In 1906, he joined the Conseil Superieur de la Guerre. This was a group of top generals.
General Victor-Constant Michel was the Commander-in-Chief for the northeast front. He disagreed with the idea of always attacking. Gallieni and others felt Michel should be removed.
After Michel was removed, Gallieni was offered the job of Army Chief of Staff. He turned it down. He felt it was wrong after forcing Michel out. He was also close to retirement. His former subordinate, Joseph Joffre, got the job instead.
Before World War I
Gallieni commanded the Fifth Army until he retired. He believed it was not strong enough to advance into Belgium. He also thought the city of Maubeuge needed stronger defenses.
Like other officers from the colonies, Gallieni wanted the French army to change its uniform. Soldiers wore bright red trousers. He thought a less noticeable uniform would be better. But this idea was rejected.
In 1911, during military exercises, Gallieni used air reconnaissance. He showed how useful planes could be for finding enemy positions. His ideas about forts, artillery, and using intelligence were seen as unusual.
He retired in early 1914. His wife passed away that summer. Before the war, he correctly predicted that the Germans would attack far into Belgium.
First World War
The Battle of the Marne
Gallieni was chosen as Joffre's backup commander on July 31. Joffre did not want him at his headquarters. On August 14, Gallieni visited Joffre. But Joffre quickly sent him to talk to other officers.
Military Governor of Paris
To become Military Governor of Paris, Gallieni asked for three active army corps to defend the city. The War Minister ordered Joffre to provide them. But Joffre ignored the order.
Gallieni learned that the Paris Garrison was being sent away. This left him with only local troops. He was appointed on August 26, not knowing he lacked the forces he asked for. The new War Minister, Alexandre Millerand, visited Joffre. Joffre promised to send the three corps if Maunoury's attack failed.
On August 28, Paris was put in a state of defense. Gallieni quickly fired two generals. On September 2, the government left Paris for Bordeaux. Paris became a "fortified military camp." Millerand ordered Gallieni to defend Paris "to the last extreme." This meant destroying buildings and bridges if needed. Gallieni felt he was staying behind to die.
That day, Gallieni told Joffre that without the three corps, it would be "impossible to resist." Joffre placed Maunoury's Sixth Army under Gallieni's command. Gallieni inspected his new command. He was shocked by the number of refugees. He quickly received more troops, including a Moroccan brigade and Zouaves from Algeria.
Gallieni believed Joffre's plan to retreat was "unrealistic." He expected a German attack on September 3. That morning, he learned that von Kluck's German army was marching southeast, exposing its side. Gallieni immediately set engineers to work. They cut down trees and prepared bridges for demolition. Even the Eiffel Tower was ready to be destroyed. Paris had many guns and stockpiled food and gas.
Planning the Counterattack
On the night of September 3–4, Joffre sent a note to Gallieni. He wanted Maunoury's Sixth Army to move east along the Marne River. Gallieni decided it was "vital to act quickly."
At 9:10 AM on September 4, Gallieni sent orders to Maunoury. He told him to be ready to move his army that afternoon. Gallieni then called President Poincare in Bordeaux. This was to push Joffre to act. Gallieni then called Joffre. He proposed attacking north of the Marne on September 6 or south on September 7.
Joffre's reply arrived too late. Gallieni, with Maunoury, drove to the British headquarters. They wanted to ensure British cooperation. The British commander, Sir John French, was hesitant. A provisional agreement was made. The French felt the British might not cooperate.
That evening, Gallieni insisted on speaking to Joffre directly. He told him it was too late to cancel Maunoury's army movement. Joffre agreed to start the Allied attack on September 6. He also agreed to have Sixth Army attack north of the Marne. At 8:30 PM, Gallieni ordered the attack. At 10 PM, Joffre issued General Order No 6, ordering a general Allied offensive.
The Taxicab Army
On September 5, Gallieni told Maunoury there would be no retreat. He also issued secret orders to destroy important parts of Paris if needed.
On September 7, Gallieni worried that Paris was vulnerable. He telegraphed the government about possibly evacuating civilians. That day, Gallieni was told not to talk directly with the government. This made Joffre "all-powerful." Gallieni also sent troops to help the British.
On the night of September 7/8, Gallieni made a famous decision. He sent 103rd and 104th Infantry Regiments to the front in taxicabs. This was a unique way to move troops quickly. When he saw the "taxicab army," Gallieni said, "Well, here at least is something out of the ordinary!"
The Germans began to pull back on September 9. This gave the Allies a major victory in the Battle of the Marne.
After the Marne
After the Marne, Gallieni suggested attacking the Turkish straits. By late 1914, some people wanted Gallieni to replace Joffre. Gallieni also supported sending an army to the Balkans. He hoped this would weaken Turkey and Austria-Hungary.
Minister of War
Becoming Minister
In October 1915, Aristide Briand formed a new government. Gallieni became the Minister of War. Joffre had been asking to be commander-in-chief of all French forces. Gallieni agreed to this. He wrote to Joffre, assuring him of his support.
At a meeting in November 1915, Joffre wanted his authority clearly defined. Gallieni complained that politicians would not stand up to Joffre. On December 2, 1915, a decree made Joffre "Commander-in-Chief of the French Armies." This was approved by the Chamber of Deputies.
His Policies
As Minister of War, Gallieni made changes. He removed soldiers from easy jobs. He allowed black African troops to serve on the Western Front again. He also created "foyers du soldat," which were waiting rooms for soldiers at train stations.
Gallieni supported the Salonika expedition. But he did not think highly of General Maurice Sarrail's skills. He ordered Sarrail to retreat to Salonika.
Resignation
Gallieni's health was poor due to prostate cancer. This made him less tolerant of criticism. Political unrest grew after a failed offensive.
Gallieni had concerns about Joffre's plans for a big Anglo-French attack on the Somme. There was also tension because Gallieni wanted to appoint generals. Joffre also talked directly with British generals, bypassing the War Ministry.
In late 1915, a member of parliament, Émile Driant, complained to Gallieni. He said Joffre was removing guns and garrisons from Verdun. Gallieni investigated and expressed concern to Joffre.
The political situation became difficult after the German attack on Verdun in February 1916. Rumors spread that Joffre had ordered Verdun to be abandoned. Gallieni demanded to see all documents from that time. On March 7, Gallieni gave an angry report. He criticized Joffre's actions and demanded more control for the War Minister. He then resigned.
Gallieni was persuaded to stay until a replacement was found. Pierre Roques was appointed as his successor. This was the last time a minister tried to control the army until 1917.
Later Life and Legacy
The stress of his high office worsened Gallieni's health. Joseph Gallieni passed away in May 1916.
His memories were published after his death in 1920. He was made a Marshal of France in 1921, after he died. He was buried in Saint-Raphaël. A military camp in Mali, Camp Gallieni in Kati, was named after him. There is also a Camp Gallieni in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
What People Thought of Him
People described Gallieni as a precise and serious man. He was a secular republican, meaning he believed in a government separate from religion. He kept out of politics. He was seen as "formidable" and "France’s most distinguished soldier." His appearance alone commanded respect.
After the Battle of the Marne, there was a public debate. People argued about who had "won" the battle. Churchill praised Gallieni for seeing the chance to outflank the German Army. He said Gallieni "behaves with the spontaneous confidence of genius in action."
Gallieni claimed credit for the victory in his memoirs. Some historians agreed with him. However, others, like Captain Lyet, disagreed. Joffre himself once said, "I do not know who won it [the battle], but I know well who would have lost it." Historians generally agree that Gallieni's role was important, but Joffre made the key decisions.
Ethnology and Collections
From the start of his colonial career, Gallieni became interested in ethnology. This is the study of cultures and peoples. He collected many objects from French Sudan and Madagascar. He later gave these collections to the Museum de Toulouse.
Images for kids
-
Shepherd Hat from French Sudan at the MHNT museum.
-
Saber and its sheath from French Sudan at the MHNT museum.
-
An Adze from Senegal at the MHNT museum.
-
Ankle bracelets from the Dan Culture at the MHNT museum.
-
Pair of sandals from the Sakalava people. This was shown at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900 at the MHNT museum.
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Gallieni para niños
