de Guingand, Francis Wilfred "Freddie"
- Date of birth:
- February 28th, 1900 (Acton/Greater London, England)
- Date of death:
- June 29th, 1979 (Cannes/Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France)
- Service number:
- 20274
- Nationality:
- British (1801-present, Kingdom)
Biography
Promotions:
11th February 1943: acting Major-general (as from 1st December 1943);
1st December 1944: Major-general (temporary, War subs.);
10th September 1945: Major-general (seniority 22nd March 1945);
Career:
15th July 1939: Military Assistent (graded as G.S.O. 2nd Grade);
6th February 1947: retired.
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Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Lieutenant-Colonel
- Unit:
- Military Intelligence Middle East, Middle East Command, British Army
- Awarded on:
- December 30th, 1941
"In recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East (including Egypt, East Africa, The Western Desert, The Sudan, Greece, Crete, Syria and Tobruk) during the period February 1941 to July 1941."
Recommendation:
"This officer has been working for the past seven months on the Joint Planning Staff at G.H.Q. Middle East Forces. He has been tireless in his efforts and by his excellent work has contributed very considerably to the successful preparations of operations undertaken in the Middle East during this period."
General Staff Officer, 1st grade (GSO1)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Brigadier (acting)
- Unit:
- Headquarters, Eighth Army, British Army
- Awarded on:
- November 5th, 1942
Citation:
"In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East."
Recommendation:
"During the Battle of Alamein which began on 31 August 1942 and lasted for six days, Brigadier De GUINGAND's work as chief of staff, EIGHTH ARMY, was of the very highest order. His duties embraced all sections of the staff, and also the general control of the battle during my own absence in the forward area. Hie work during the whole period was outstanding and contributed greatly to the success achieved by EIGHTH ARMY in this most vital battle.
"In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East."
Recommendation:
"During the Battle of Alamein which began on 31 August 1942 and lasted for six days, Brigadier De GUINGAND's work as chief of staff, EIGHTH ARMY, was of the very highest order. His duties embraced all sections of the staff, and also the general control of the battle during my own absence in the forward area. Hie work during the whole period was outstanding and contributed greatly to the success achieved by EIGHTH ARMY in this most vital battle.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Brigadier
- Unit:
- Headquarters, Eighth Army, British Army
- Awarded on:
- February 26th, 1943
Citation:
"In recognition of outstanding services during the operations resulting in the capture of Tripoli".
"In recognition of outstanding services during the operations resulting in the capture of Tripoli".
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Brigadier
- Unit:
- Headquarters, Eighth Army, British Army
- Awarded on:
- June 24th, 1943
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Major-General
- Unit:
- General Staff, Headquarters, Eighth Army, British Army
- Awarded on:
- October 14th, 1943
- Awarded for:
- Operation Husky
"In recognition of distinguished services in Sicily."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Major-General
- Unit:
- Chief of Staff, Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
- Awarded on:
- June 29th, 1944
- Awarded for:
- Operation Overlord
"In recognition of distinguished services in connection with the operations in Normandy."
Legion of Merit - Commander (LoM - C)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Major-General
- Unit:
- Chief of Staff, Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
- Awarded on:
- April 12th, 1945
"On Major General de Guingand fell the heavy responsibility of organising and coordinating the work of an Army Group Headquarters for the greatest amphibious assault that has yet taken place. An Allied Headquarters with an integrated United States/British Staff was something new. That it worked so well was chiefly due to this Officers outstanding ability. Since the assault on the Normandy beaches, many and varied operations have taken place. The very high standard of staff work that has been produced in connection with these operations is primarily due to Major-General de Guingand, whose ability, energy, tact and great devotion to duty has been quite exceptional."
Date is the date of permission to wear the decorations by the King.
Date is the date of permission to wear the decorations by the King.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Major-General
- Unit:
- Chief of Staff, Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
- Awarded on:
- August 9th, 1945
Citation:
"In recognition of of gallant and distinguished service in North-West Europe."
"In recognition of of gallant and distinguished service in North-West Europe."
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Major-General
- Unit:
- Chief of Staff, Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
- Awarded on:
- November 8th, 1945
"In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North-West Europe."
Grootofficier in de Orde van Oranje Nassau (ON.2)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Acting Major-General
- Unit:
- Chief of Staff, Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
- Awarded on:
- October 17th, 1946
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Major-General
- Unit:
- Chief of Staff, Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
- Awarded on:
- January 16th, 1948
Date is the date of permission to wear the decoration by the British King.
Croix de Guerre (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Major
- Unit:
- Chief of Staff, Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Temporary Major-General
- Unit:
- Chief of Staff, Headquarters, 21st Army Group, British Army
"Major General Sir F.W. de Guingand was Chief of Staff, 21 Army Group, both during the preparation of operation "Overlord" and during the operation itself and the operations that followed it. The great victory that resulted in driving the German Armies back across the borders of France was in no small measure due to the zeal and perseverance of this brilliant Staff Officer."
Sources
- Photo 1: British Government
- - Smart, N., Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War, Pen & Sword Books Limited, Barnsley, England, 2005
- Supplement to The London Gazette of Tueasday 12th September 1939, Issue 34680, dated 12th September 1939
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of Friday 26th December 1941, Issue 35396, dated 30th December 1941
- Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday 3rd November 1942, Issue 35771, dated 5th November 1942
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday 23rd February 1943, Issue 35918, dated 26th February 1943
- Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday 22nd June 1943, Issue 36065, dated 24th June 1943
- Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday 12th October 1943, Issue 36209, dated 14th October 1943
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette of Tueasday 8th February 1944, Issue 36372, dated 11th February 1944
- Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday 27th June 1944, Issue 36586, dated 29th June 1944
- Supplement to The London Gazette of Friday 12th January 1945, Issue 36892, dated 16th January 1945
- Supplement to The London Gazette of Tueaday 10th April 1945, Issue 37027, dated 12th April 1945
- Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday 6th November 1945, Issue 37340, dated 8th November 1945
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of Friday 20th September 1946, Issue 37736, dated 24th September 1946
- Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday 15th October 1946, Issue 37761, dated 17th October 1946
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday 4th February 1947, Issue 37873, dated 7th February 1947
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday 13th January 1948, Issue 38178, dated 16th January 1948
- unithistories.com
- onderscheidingen.nl
- Recommendation for Award for De Guingand, Sir Francis Wilfred Rank: Major... | The National Archives
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- Recommendation for Award for De Guingand, Francis Wilfred Rank: Major ... | The National Archives
- Recommendation for Award for De Guingand, Sir Francis W Rank: Major General ... | The National Archives
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