Jean Bastien-Thiry: Difference between revisions
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==Life== |
==Life== |
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Bastien-Thiry was born to a family of [[Roman Catholicism|Catholic]] military officers in [[Lunéville]], [[Meurthe-et-Moselle]]. His father had known de Gaulle in the 1930s and was a member of the Gaullist [[RPF]]. He attended the [[École Polytechnique]], followed by the [[École nationale supérieure de l'Aéronautique]] before going into the [[French Air Force]] where he specialized in the design of air-to-air missiles. In 1957 he was promoted to become principal air military engineer. He was married to Geneviève Lamirand, the daughter of [[Georges Lamirand]] |
Bastien-Thiry was born to a family of [[Roman Catholicism|Catholic]] military officers in [[Lunéville]], [[Meurthe-et-Moselle]]. His father had known de Gaulle in the 1930s and was a member of the Gaullist [[RPF]]. He attended the [[École Polytechnique]], followed by the [[École nationale supérieure de l'Aéronautique]] before going into the [[French Air Force]] where he specialized in the design of air-to-air missiles. In 1957 he was promoted to become principal air military engineer. He was married to Geneviève Lamirand, the daughter of [[Georges Lamirand]] (1899-1994), the latter had been [[Vichy France]] General Secretary of Youth from September 1940 to March 1943 but the family was [[Free French]]<ref name="lacouture_de gaulle3-276-279">Jean Lacouture, ''Charles de Gaulle – Le souverain 1959-1970'', {{opcit}}, {{p.}}276-279.</ref>. He had three daughters with her. |
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==Assassination attempt== |
==Assassination attempt== |
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After returning to power with the intention of maintaining Algeria as "[[French Algeria|an integral part of France]]", de Gaulle made a sudden reversal of policy in September 1959 and began gradually opting instead for the secession of Algeria. As a consequence of this new policy, one which most military officers and even several of De Gaulle's close associates disagreed, two referendums on self-determination were held. The first, in 1961, and a second on 8 April 1962 (known as the [[French Évian Accords]] referendum, 1962). The latter was not in accord with the [[Constitution of France|French constitution]], Article 3,{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} as citizens living in Algeria were barred from this referendum. |
After returning to power with the intention of maintaining the French [[Department (administrative division)|departments]] of Algeria as "[[French Algeria|an integral part of France]]", de Gaulle made a sudden reversal of policy in September 1959 and began gradually opting instead for the secession of Algeria. Bastien-Thiry who was a Gaullist until 1959 became an opponent<ref name="lacouture_de gaulle3-276-279">. As a consequence of this new policy, one which most military officers and even several of De Gaulle's close associates disagreed, two referendums on self-determination were held. The first, in 1961, and a second on 8 April 1962 (known as the [[French Évian Accords]] referendum, 1962). The latter was not in accord with the [[Constitution of France|French constitution]], Article 3,{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} as citizens living in Algeria were barred from this referendum. |
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Bastien-Thiry, who was involved with a still-mysterious organization (''Vieil État-Major'', which was probably{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} supported by high-ranking officials, politicians and the heads of large companies), cooperated with men of ''[[Organisation de l'armée secrète]]'' (OAS) which was already carrying out assassinations and bombings to try to prevent Algerian independence. Bastien-Thiry was not, however, actually a member of the OAS organization. |
Bastien-Thiry, who was involved with a still-mysterious organization (''Vieil État-Major'', which was probably{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} supported by high-ranking officials, politicians and the heads of large companies), cooperated with men of ''[[Organisation de l'armée secrète]]'' (OAS) which was already carrying out assassinations and bombings to try to prevent Algerian independence. Bastien-Thiry was not, however, actually a member of the OAS organization. |
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Revision as of 03:21, 21 April 2010
Jean Bastien-Thiry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Allegiance |  France |
| Service/ | French Air Force |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Battles/wars | World War II Algerian War |
| Other work | Aerospace engineer |
Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry (19 October 1927 – 11 March 1963) was a French military air weaponry engineer who attempted to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle on 22 August 1962, following Algerian independence.
Life
Bastien-Thiry was born to a family of Catholic military officers in Lunéville, Meurthe-et-Moselle. His father had known de Gaulle in the 1930s and was a member of the Gaullist RPF. He attended the École Polytechnique, followed by the École nationale supérieure de l'Aéronautique before going into the French Air Force where he specialized in the design of air-to-air missiles. In 1957 he was promoted to become principal air military engineer. He was married to Geneviève Lamirand, the daughter of Georges Lamirand (1899-1994), the latter had been Vichy France General Secretary of Youth from September 1940 to March 1943 but the family was Free French[1]. He had three daughters with her.
Assassination attempt
After returning to power with the intention of maintaining the French departments of Algeria as "an integral part of France", de Gaulle made a sudden reversal of policy in September 1959 and began gradually opting instead for the secession of Algeria. Bastien-Thiry who was a Gaullist until 1959 became an opponentCite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). There were 2000 policemen posted along the way and 35 vehicles used. The government feared an escape was planned, and there had been a plan but it was abandoned. Paradoxically, the police plan was headed by Jean Cantelaube, a former security officer of De Gaulle. He has been recently[when?] identified as an intelligence agent who provided information to Bastien-Thiry's organization.[2]
Jean Bastien-Thiry was executed by firing squad at the Fort d'Ivry on 11 March 1963, while clutching his rosary. He refused to be blindfolded. He was 35 years old.
About Bastien-Thiry, de Gaulle said "The French need martyrs ... They must choose them carefully. I could have given them one of those idiotic generals playing ball in Tulle prison. I gave them Bastien-Thiry. They'll be able to make a martyr of him. He deserves it." (Lacouture, 329).
References
- ^ Jean Lacouture, Charles de Gaulle – Le souverain 1959-1970, Template:Opcit, p. Missing parameter/s! (Template:P.)276-279.
- ^ Cantelaube's notes quoted in Jean-Pax Meffret's book; attempt accomplice interviewed by Olivier Cazeaux
- Lacouture, Jean. De Gaulle: The Ruler 1945-1970.
- Venner, Dominique (2004). De Gaulle: La Grandeur et le Néant. Editions du Rocher. ISBN 2-268-05202-8.
- Soustelle, Jacques (1962). L'Espérance Trahie. Editions de l'Alma.
- Plume, Christian (1973). Translated by Richard Barry. Corgi. ISBN 0 552 10143 5.
{{cite book}}: Missing or empty|title=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)