Georges Bergé
Encyclopedia
Georges Roger Pierre Bergé (3 January 1909 – 15 September 1997) was a French Army
general who served during World War II
. He enlisted in the Free French Forces
, where he took command of the 1re compagnie de chasseurs parachutistes (1st Parachute Chaser Company). He is mentioned by David Stirling
as one of the co-founders of the Special Air Service
(SAS). In Great-Britain and Egypt, he organised the training for Allied agents sent to France
and led the first airborne mission in occupied France, named Operation Savannah
. He fought in Syria
and Crete
. After his capture by the Germans
he was imprisoned in Colditz Castle
.
département, France
. He is drafted in 1929, and incorporated in the 24th infantry regiment in Mont-de-Marsan
, where he is trained as a reserve officer. In April 1930, he is demobilized as a second lieutenant
. In 1933, he eventually choose military career and integrate l'école de l'Infanterie et des Chars (Infantry and tanks school) in Saint-Maixent
. He is made a lieutenant in 1934.
His unit is tasked to attack enemy airfields in the mediterranean zone. Bergé chooses Heraklion
airfield, Crete
. With a group of four men, he manages to destroy 20 enemy planes.
19th. He is captured at the conclusion of his mission. He is imprisoned in XC Oflag
in Lübeck
, from which he tries to escape in vain.
, to the National Defense' staff. He is then the military attaché for the French ambassy in Rome.
Foreign
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
general who served during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He enlisted in the Free French Forces
Free French Forces
The Free French Forces were French partisans in World War II who decided to continue fighting against the forces of the Axis powers after the surrender of France and subsequent German occupation and, in the case of Vichy France, collaboration with the Germans.-Definition:In many sources, Free...
, where he took command of the 1re compagnie de chasseurs parachutistes (1st Parachute Chaser Company). He is mentioned by David Stirling
David Stirling
Colonel Sir Archibald David Stirling, DSO, DFC, OBE was a Scottish laird, mountaineer, World War II British Army officer, and the founder of the Special Air Service.-Life before the war:...
as one of the co-founders of the Special Air Service
Special Air Service
Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
(SAS). In Great-Britain and Egypt, he organised the training for Allied agents sent to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and led the first airborne mission in occupied France, named Operation Savannah
Operation Savannah
During World War II, Operation Savannah was the first insertion of SOE trained Free French paratroops into German-occupied France: on the night of 15 March 1941....
. He fought in Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
and Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
. After his capture by the Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
he was imprisoned in Colditz Castle
Colditz Castle
Colditz Castle is a Renaissance castle in the town of Colditz near Leipzig, Dresden, and Chemnitz in the state of Saxony in Germany. Used as a workhouse for the indigent and a mental institution for over 100 years, it gained international fame as a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II for...
.
Youth
Georges Bergé was born on January 1909 in Belmont, in the GersGers
The Gers is a department in the Midi-Pyrénées region in the southwest of France named after the Gers River.Inhabitants are called les Gersois or Gersoises.-History:...
département, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He is drafted in 1929, and incorporated in the 24th infantry regiment in Mont-de-Marsan
Mont-de-Marsan
Mont-de-Marsan is a commune and capital of the Landes department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.Mont-de-Marsan airbase « Constantin Rozanoff » is a major installation of the French Air Force. The base includes CEAM , an air defense radar command reporting centre, and an air defence control...
, where he is trained as a reserve officer. In April 1930, he is demobilized as a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
. In 1933, he eventually choose military career and integrate l'école de l'Infanterie et des Chars (Infantry and tanks school) in Saint-Maixent
Saint-Maixent-l'École
Saint-Maixent-l'École is a commune in the Deux-Sèvres department in western France.-Geography:Saint-Maixent-l'École is located in the Haut Val de Sèvre area of western France, about from Niort and from La Rochelle...
. He is made a lieutenant in 1934.
1940
- May. He fights in frontline. On 18th, while leading a successful counter-attack near BousiesBousiesBousies is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.-History:Bousies was part of County of Hainaut, an enclave in Cambrésis of which it was one of the 12 peerages. In 1007, Jean, Lord of Bousies, as peer of Cambrésis, pledged fidelity to bishop Herbin Ist, Count of Cambrai...
in the North, he is wounded twice and transported to ArrasArrasArras is the capital of the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. The historic centre of the Artois region, its local speech is characterized as a Picard dialect...
. After hospitalization in CaenCaenCaen is a commune in northwestern France. It is the prefecture of the Calvados department and the capital of the Basse-Normandie region. It is located inland from the English Channel....
, he is evacuated further south. - June.
- 17th. While visiting his parents in MimizanMimizanMimizan is a commune in the Landes department in Aquitaine in south-western France. There are two separate districts of the town: Mimizan-Bourg and Mimizan-Plage .-History:...
, Landes, he hears marshal PétainPhilippe PétainHenri Philippe Benoni Omer Joseph Pétain , generally known as Philippe Pétain or Marshal Pétain , was a French general who reached the distinction of Marshal of France, and was later Chief of State of Vichy France , from 1940 to 1944...
's radiodiffused speech. - 21st. Refusing the armistice, Georges Bergé embarks on a polish boat in Saint-Jean-de-LuzSaint-Jean-de-LuzSaint-Jean-de-Luz is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.Saint-Jean-de-Luz is part of the province Basque of Labourd and the Basque Eurocity Bayonne - San Sebastian .-Geography:...
and sails for EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. - 24th. Joining the Free French forcesFree French ForcesThe Free French Forces were French partisans in World War II who decided to continue fighting against the forces of the Axis powers after the surrender of France and subsequent German occupation and, in the case of Vichy France, collaboration with the Germans.-Definition:In many sources, Free...
in London, he meets general Charles de GaulleCharles de GaulleCharles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969....
at Saint Stephen's House and suggests him to form an airborne battailon.- He integrates the air force staff of the Free French forcesFree French ForcesThe Free French Forces were French partisans in World War II who decided to continue fighting against the forces of the Axis powers after the surrender of France and subsequent German occupation and, in the case of Vichy France, collaboration with the Germans.-Definition:In many sources, Free...
. - September. The 1re Compagnie d'Infanterie de l'Air or 1re CIA (1st Airborne Infantry regiment) is formed with Bergé as its commanding officer.
- He is trained in Ringway school (ManchesterManchesterManchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
). - December. Bergé and his men are now paratroopers.
- He integrates the air force staff of the Free French forces
1941
- March.
- 15th. He is parachuted in France as leader of the first Free French mission in occupied France, Operation SavannahOperation SavannahDuring World War II, Operation Savannah was the first insertion of SOE trained Free French paratroops into German-occupied France: on the night of 15 March 1941....
, planned by the SOESpecial Operations ExecutiveThe Special Operations Executive was a World War II organisation of the United Kingdom. It was officially formed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Minister of Economic Warfare Hugh Dalton on 22 July 1940, to conduct guerrilla warfare against the Axis powers and to instruct and aid local...
. - 22nd. He joins MimizanMimizanMimizan is a commune in the Landes department in Aquitaine in south-western France. There are two separate districts of the town: Mimizan-Bourg and Mimizan-Plage .-History:...
and contacts friends to form a resistance network.- April. On the 5th, he comes back to England by submarine. Mission Savannah is over.
- Under the supervision of the Deuxième BureauDeuxième BureauThe Deuxième Bureau de l'État-major général was France's external military intelligence agency from 1871 to 1940. It was dissolved together with the Third Republic upon the armistice with Germany...
(then the Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'ActionBureau Central de Renseignements et d'ActionThe Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action , commonly referred as the BCRA was the World War II-era forerunner of the SDECE, the French intelligence service...
, the Free French external military intelligenceMilitary intelligenceMilitary intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
agency) and the SOE, he establishes a special agents school - 36th station of the SOE, Inchmery House, New Forest - where most of the agents sent in France in 1941 and 1942 will be trained. - July. On the 25th, with the 1re CIA, he is allocated in DamascusDamascusDamascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
(Meze airfield)
1942
- January. Allocated in Kabret in the Combined Training Center, west bank of the Suez CanalSuez CanalThe Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
, he forms the French SAS squadron. As the SAS expanded, the French squadron would be the first of a range of units to be 'acquired' by David StirlingDavid StirlingColonel Sir Archibald David Stirling, DSO, DFC, OBE was a Scottish laird, mountaineer, World War II British Army officer, and the founder of the Special Air Service.-Life before the war:...
. - June.
His unit is tasked to attack enemy airfields in the mediterranean zone. Bergé chooses Heraklion
Heraklion
Heraklion, or Heraclion is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete, Greece. It is the 4th largest city in Greece....
airfield, Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
. With a group of four men, he manages to destroy 20 enemy planes.
19th. He is captured at the conclusion of his mission. He is imprisoned in XC Oflag
Oflag
An Oflag was a prisoner of war camp for officers only, established by the German Army in both World War I and World War II in accordance with the requirements of the Geneva Convention ....
in Lübeck
Lübeck
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck is the second-largest city in Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany, and one of the major ports of Germany. It was for several centuries the "capital" of the Hanseatic League and, because of its Brick Gothic architectural heritage, is listed by UNESCO as a World...
, from which he tries to escape in vain.
1943
- January. Transferred in Colditz CastleColditz CastleColditz Castle is a Renaissance castle in the town of Colditz near Leipzig, Dresden, and Chemnitz in the state of Saxony in Germany. Used as a workhouse for the indigent and a mental institution for over 100 years, it gained international fame as a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II for...
(Oflag IV-C), he finds there Major Stirling, captured in a 1943 raid in Tunisia, and captain Augustin Jordan.
Post war
Lieutenant-colonel Bergé is successively allocated to the Parachute inspection administration, to the military cabinet of the Provisional Government of the French RepublicProvisional Government of the French Republic
The Provisional Government of the French Republic was an interim government which governed France from 1944 to 1946, following the fall of Vichy France and prior to the Fourth French Republic....
, to the National Defense' staff. He is then the military attaché for the French ambassy in Rome.
- August 1951-July 1953. He commands the 14th Régiment d'infanterie parachutiste de Choc (RIPC) in ToulouseToulouseToulouse is a city in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern FranceIt lies on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea...
.
- 1953-1957. Colonel Bergé is the assistant of General Pierre BarjotPierre BarjotPierre Barjot was a French admiral.He was the commander-in-chief of the French forces during the Suez Crisis. He also wrote a number of works on naval aviation....
, commander of the French airborne forces during the Suez CrisisSuez CrisisThe Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression, Suez War was an offensive war fought by France, the United Kingdom, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956. Less than a day after Israel invaded Egypt, Britain and France issued a joint ultimatum to Egypt and Israel,...
.
Honours and awards
France- Commander of the Legion of Honour
- Companion of the LiberationOrdre de la LibérationThe Ordre de la Libération is a French Order awarded to heroes of the Liberation of France during World War II. It is an exceptional honor, the second highest after the Légion d’Honneur and only a small number of people and military units have received it, exclusively for deeds accomplished...
(17 November 1945) - Grand Officer of the Order of MeritOrdre National du MériteThe Ordre national du Mérite is an Order of State awarded by the President of the French Republic. It was founded on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle...
- Croix de Guerre 1939-1945, 4 citations
- Cross of Military ValourCroix de la Valeur MilitaireThe Croix de la Valeur Militaire is a military decoration of France that recognizes individual holding a mention in Dispatches earned in theaters of operations which are not subject to the award of the Croix de guerre....
, with palm - Aeronautics MedalMédaille de l'AéronautiqueThe Médaille de l'Aéronautique is an order of merit created on 14 February 1945.-History:Before the Second World War, it was envisioned to create an award similar to the Order of Maritime Merit, an Order of Merit, Air, intended for personal civil and military aeronautics. But the war put an end to...
Foreign
- Officer of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
- Military CrossMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(United Kingdom) - Cruz Militar (Spain)
- Commander of the Order of George IOrder of George IThe Royal Order of George I is a defunct order of Greece.- History :The order was founded in 1915 by King Constantine I in honor of his father, George I. It was only the second Greek order to be created after the Order of the Redeemer in 1833, and remained the second senior award of the Greek...
(Greece) - Commander of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite (Morocco)