Victor Cordonnier

Victor Louis Émilien Cordonnier (23 March 1858, Surgy, France – 1936) served France during World War I as a general and was called "one of France's finest generals" by Geoffrey Blainey.[1]

General Victor Cordonnier
General Cordonnier inspecting Vardar front, Macedonia
Born23 March 1858
Surgy, France
Died1936
Allegiance France
Service/branchFrench Army
Years of service1879–1918
RankBrigadier General
Commands heldCommander of Cadet Battalion
87th Brigade(FR)
3rd Division(FR)
Battles/warsBattle of the Frontiers
Battle of the Ardennes
Battle of the Marne
Macedonian front
AwardsCommander of the Légion d'honneur
Other workLes Japonais des Mandchourie
Une Brigade au feu:Potins de Guerre

Biography

Earlier career

After finishing in the military academy of St. Cyr in 1879, he was assigned as a sub-lieutenant in the infantry. He graduated from the École de Guerre eight years later. He alternated between staff and regimental service, serving in Algeria and the Alps. In 1905, he was chosen to be an instructor at École de Guerre, after serving as director of studies and commander of the cadet battalion at St. Cyr. During this time he wrote Les Japonais des Mandchourie (The Japanese in Manchuria), which soon became known as an important critical work on the Russo-Japanese war and was translated into several languages (English translation: Part I, 1912; Part II, 1914). In 1910, he was promoted to colonel and was given the command of an infantry regiment.

World War I
With his staff, Florina 1916

In 1913, he was given command of the new 87th Brigade and made general of brigade. His brigade distinguished itself at the battle of the Mangiennes, 10 August 1914 and the battle of the Ardennes. He directed the 3rd Division at the battle of the Marne, the advance to Sainte-Menehould and the Argonne, being wounded on 15 September 1914.

By December 1914, after being made an officer of the Legion of Honour, he led his division in bitter trench warfare in the Argonne, later being in command of a group of divisions at Alsace in January 1914.

He was made a commander in the Legion of Honour and in July 1916 was given command of the French troops of the Salonika armies under Maurice Sarrail, later referred to as Armée française d'Orient. Commanding the left wing of the Entente's autumn offensive, he saw action at Ostrovo, Florina, Armenohor and Kenali. However, his and Sarrail's differences led him to be reassigned.

Post war

After arriving back in France, Cordonnier, being terribly ill, was taken to hospital and underwent surgery for cancer. He was unable to return to active duty due to his health and instead went into retirement. In 1921, he published Une Brigade au feu; Potins de Guerre, a tribute to the 87th brigade which he commanded.

His works

Notes
  1. Geoffrey Blainey, The Causes of War, (Simon and Schuster, 1988), 38.

References
  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1922). "Cordonnier, Victor Louis Émilien". Encyclopædia Britannica (12th ed.). London & New York: The Encyclopædia Britannica Company.
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