Gérard Leman
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2007) |
Gerard Mathieu Joseph Georges Leman | |
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Born | Liège, Belgium | 8 January 1851
Died | 17 October 1920 Liège, Belgium | (aged 69)
Nationality | Belgian |
Known for | Organising the defence of Liège during World War I |
Gerard Mathieu Joseph Georges, count Leman (8 January 1851 – 17 October 1920) was a
Pre-World War I
Leman was the son of an artillery captain who was a professor at the Military School. He entered the Military School at Brussels, and when he left it in 1869 had acquired a reputation for brilliance. During the
Preparing Liège
In January 1914, he was appointed commander of the forts surrounding the Belgian city of Liège as well as the 3rd division of the Belgian army.[1] Leman was determined to hinder the German advance as much as possible. Over 18,000 labourers were set to work building fortifications around Liège. During a visit by a Belgian minister, Leman was told that these projects would compromise the neutrality of Belgium. Leman was unimpressed and replied that Belgium would come to thank him if war would break out; if no war came "they could take away his general’s stars".[citation needed]
Battle of Liège
In August 1914,
After the war
After the war, he returned to a hero's welcome in Belgium. He died in 1920, aged 69.
Title and honours
Gérard-Mathieu Leman rose to the rank of lieutenant general and was made a count.
Military awards and decorations
- Grand cordon of the order of Leopold with palm
- Grand officer of the order of the crown
- War cross WWI with palm
- Liege medal
- WWI Victory medal
- WW I commemorative medal
- Military cross, first class
- Commemorative medal of the reign of King Leopold II
- Knight grand cross of the order of St Michael and St George
- Grand cross of the legion of honor (France)
- Grand officer of the order of military merit (Spain)
- Commander of the order of the redeemer (Greece)
- Order of the double dragon (China)
- Order of the star of Romania (Romania)
- War cross with palm (France)
- War merit cross (Italy)
References
- ^ a b c d Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1922). Encyclopædia Britannica (12th ed.). London & New York: The Encyclopædia Britannica Company. .
- ^ Baker, Chris (2009). "Brave Little Belgium". Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Meyer, G.J. (2007). A World Undone: The Story of the Great War 1914 to 1918. Delacorte Press. p. 135..