KILLED IN AIR CRASH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26632, 1 December 1947, Page 5

KILLED IN AIR CRASH

GENERAL JACQUES LECLERC NOTED WAR-TIME LEADER PARIS, Nov. 28. General Jacques Philippe Leclerc, noted war-time leader, was killed in a plane crash about 18 miles south of Oran to-day. Reuter’s correspondent at Algiers says 11 other military personnel were killed with General Leclerc. The aircraft hit a hill and burst into flames. The occupants were burnt to death. General Leclerc was Inspector-gene-ral of the French armed forces in North Africa. General Leclerc had a noteworthy career during the Second World War. During the Battle of France he was wounded and was taken prisoner by the Germans near Cambrai. He succeeded in making his escape, but was later recaptured. Once again he escaped, and this time he reached 'London, where he aligned himself with General de Gaulle. He was sent to North Africa, where he was successful in rallying the Cameroons to the support of Free France. Under his command forces moved northwards and succeeded in capturing South Tripoli - tania. Later he joined up with the Eighth Army and saw service in the final Tunisian campaign. He returned to Britain, where he played a major nart in the plans for the invasion of Europe. He headed the French Second Armoured Division in the Battle of Normandy. To him was given the honour of completing the liberation of Paris, and he signed the armistice with the German forces resisting in Paris on August 25. 1944. He then led his forces across France, across the Vosges, to capture the city ot btiasbourg.