Messmer, Pierre

Messmer, Pierre

(Pierre Joseph Auguste Messmer) (pyĕr mĕsmā`), 1916–, French political leader. In World War II he fought with the Free French forces before joining General de Gaullede Gaulle, Charles
, 1890–1970, French general and statesman, first president (1959–69) of the Fifth Republic. The World Wars

During World War I de Gaulle served with distinction until his capture in 1916. In The Army of the Future (1934, tr.
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's staff. After the war, he held French colonial posts in Indochina and Africa. A devoted supporter of de Gaulle, he served (1960–69) as minister of defense until de Gaulle's resignation as president. In 1971 he became minister of overseas departments and territories. In 1972, President PompidouPompidou, Georges Jean Raymond
, 1911–74. French political leader, president of France (1969–74). Georges Pompidou taught school and then served in World War II until the fall (1940) of France, when he returned to teaching.
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 appointed him to replace Jacques Chaban-DelmasChaban-Delmas, Jacques
, 1915–2000, French political leader, born Jacques Delmas. He joined (1940) the resistance, using the nom de guerre "Chaban," which he later adopted legally, and was a key figure in the Allied liberation of Paris.
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 as premier. He was succeeded in 1974 by Jacques ChiracChirac, Jacques René
, 1932–, French political leader, president of France (1995–2007), b. Paris. He attended the National School of Administration, joined the civil service, and began his political career in 1961 working for Premier Georges Pompidou.
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, but continued as member of the national assembly until 1988.