Léon Frédéric Hubert Metzinger
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Léon Frédéric Hubert Metzinger | |
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| Born | 1842, Nov 9 Dijon, France |
| Died | 1914, July 4 (aged 71) Chalezeule, France |
| Allegiance |  France |
| Service | French Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1907 |
| Rank | General de division |
| Battles / wars | Franco-Prussian War Unification of Italy Sino-French War Franco-Hova Wars |
| Awards | Legion of Honor (Grand Cross) |
Léon Frédéric Hubert Metzinger (November 9, 1842 – July 4, 1914) was a French general. He distinguished himself in Tonkin in 1886 and during the Franco-Hova Wars, in which he was a commander. He was designated Governor of Antananarivo after its capture.[1] He was commander of the Army of the Alps from 1902 to 1905.
Biography
[edit]After graduating from the École militaire supérieure (Higher Military School), he was assigned to the 35th infantry regiment. During the Franco-Prussian War, he escaped the Battle of Sedan, took part in the Siege of Paris and the repression of the commune. He married his cousin Louise Marie Hippolyte Desirrier on September 26, 1876.[2] In 1891, he commanded the metropolitan brigade for the Madagascar expedition. He was appointed to the High Council of War in 1902. He is the author of The Transformation of the Army, 1897-1907. The Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes named a liner after him, assigned to the Orient and Indian Ocean lines which was sunk on June 11, 1940, in the port of Le Havre.
Grades
[edit]- 07/11/1861: Officer cadet
- 01/10/1863: Second lieutenant
- 12/26/1868: Lieutenant
- 12/12/1870: Captain
- 13/12/1879: Battalion Chief
- 07/29/1885: Lieutenant-Colonel
- 10/21/1887: Colonel
- 10/28/1891: Brigade General
- 11/07/1895: Major general
Decorations
[edit]French decorations
[edit]- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor
- Colonial Medal
- Tonkin Expedition commemorative medal
- Madagascar commemorative medal
Foreign decorations
[edit]- Mentana Cross
- Commander of the Order of the Dragon of Annam
- Grand Officer of the Order of Nichan Iftikhar
- Officer of the Order of the Black Star
- Officer of the Order of the Star of Anjouan
References
[edit]- ^ "General Leon Frederic Hubert Metzinger, French soldier". Look and Learn History Picture Library. Retrieved 2024-12-30.
- ^ "Migranet". www.francegenweb.org (in French). Retrieved 2025-01-06.