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Gerard, Yvan Louis

Date of birth:
March 16th, 1889 (Liège, Belgium)
Date of death:
1967
Nationality:
Belgian

Biography

Promotions
1938-03-26 Colonel
1947-06-26 Lieutenant-General

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
1944
Recommendation:
"In 1940 Colonel GERARD commanded the 12e. Regt. de Ligne.

His regiment distinguished itself in the defence of Lys, but was forced to evacuate the positions which it had defended so successfully.

He became a prisoner of war, but was liberated in May 1942 on health grounds. He immediately joined the command of the Secret Army.
For six months he organised and commanded the Liége Zone. At the beginning of 1943, after the arrest of Colonel Legris, he took over the command of the Secret Army. He was at the head of the Secret Army on the arrival on the arrival of the "stanley"mission. Colonel GERARD put into being the plans and orders received from London.

As he was being hunted by the Gestapo he was obliged to relinquish his command, because he had begun to be a danger to the organisation for which he was responsible.
He arrived in England in 1944.
He had recently been promoted to the rank of Major-General. He is recommended for the award of the C.B.E."

Signed
Colin Gubbins
Major-General
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Sources

Photo