Raoul Salan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Raoul Salan
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| Birth name | Raoul Albin Louis Salan |
| Born | 10 June 1899 Roquecourbe, France |
| Died | 3 July 1984 (aged 85) Paris, France |
| Allegiance |  France Organisation armée secrète |
| Service/ |
French Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1959 |
| Rank | Général d'Armée |
| Commands held | 6th Senegalese Tirailleur Regiment 14th Infantry Division French Far East Expeditionary Corps French forces in Algeria |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II First Indochina War Algerian War Algiers putsch of 1961 |
| Awards | Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor |
| Other work | Leader of the OAS |
Raoul Albin Louis Salan (born June 10, 1899 – died July 3, 1984) was a very important French Army general. He was a top commander for France during the First Indochina War. He was also one of four generals who planned a big event called the 1961 Algiers Putsch. Salan later started a group called the Organisation armée secrète (OAS). He was known as the most decorated soldier in the French Army when he finished his military career.
Contents
Raoul Salan's Early Life
Raoul Salan was born on June 10, 1899, in a town called Roquecourbe in Tarn, France. He studied at a famous military school, the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr. He then joined the French Army and fought in World War I.
A Long Military Career
Salan had a long and busy career in the military. From 1945 to 1947, he was in charge of French troops in Vietnam. By 1948, he led all French ground forces in East Asia. In 1952, he became the main commander in Indochina after another general passed away.
In 1956, Salan became the commander of French forces in French Algeria. In 1958, he supported bringing Charles de Gaulle back to power. Salan believed De Gaulle would help keep Algeria as part of France.
Salan retired soon after and moved away from Algeria. However, he returned to Algeria in 1961. There, he helped organize a rebellion on April 21, 1961, with three other generals. This event is known as the Algiers Putsch.
After the rebellion failed, Salan became the leader of the Organisation armée secrète (OAS). This group tried to stop the peace agreements for Algeria in April 1962. Salan was arrested in April 1962.
He was later pardoned in 1968. Raoul Salan was known as the most decorated soldier in the French Army. This means he received many awards for his bravery and service.
Later Life and Death
Raoul Salan passed away on July 3, 1984. Every year, people who were part of the OAS group visit his grave. They bring flowers to remember him on the day he died.
Images for kids
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Raoul Salan leading the 14th Infantry Division in a parade in Paris, June 18, 1945.
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General Salan's grave.
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Decorations of General Raoul Salan.
See also
In Spanish: Raoul Salan para niños
