André Corap

André Georges Corap
Born	(1878-01-15)15 January 1878 Pont Audemer, Normandy
Died	15 August 1953(1953-08-15) (aged 75)
Allegiance	France
Service / branch	French Army
Years of service	1898-1940
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands	Ninth Army (France)
Battles / wars	World War I World War II *Battle of France
Awards	Commander of the Légion d'honneur

André Georges Corap (French pronunciation: [ɑ̃dʁe ʒɔʁʒ kɔʁap]; 15 January 1878 – 15 August 1953) was a General in the French Army who fought in World War II. He commanded the 9th Army during the battle of France in 1940.

Early life

Corap was born in Pont Audemer, Normandy. His father was a tailor.

Military career

In 1898 he graduated from École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr and joined the French Army. He commanded colonial troops in Algeria and Morocco. In 1905, he was admitted to the Collège interarmées de défense.

First World War

In 1914, he was a captain in the Zouaves. He spent most of the war working as a staff officer for Generals Foch and Petain.

Interwar

He fought in the Rif War, capturing the leader of the insurgents, Abd el-Krim.

Corap was promoted to Brigadier General in 1929 and Major General in 1933. He was promoted to Lieutenant General in 1935 and given command of 2nd Military Division in 1937.

World War II

In 1939, at the outbreak of war, he was given command of the 9th Army. The 9th Army was placed to cover the Ardennes during the German Blitzkrieg in 1940. Corap was held responsible for the German breakthrough by the French high command and relieved from his post on 19 May 1940. He was retired into the reserves on 1 July 1940.

Sources

• who's who in 20th century warfare
• page from generals.dk
• page from the unofficial website of Ecole supérieure de guerre