Description of the attraction
Monument to Marshal of France Joseph Gallieni stands on Place Vauban. The name Gallieni is not well known in Russia, but for the Parisians it is a symbol of courage and hope. It is not for nothing that on the pedestal of the monument it is written: "To Joseph Gallieni - the city of Paris."
Joseph Simon Gallieni graduated from the military academy of Saint-Cyr, served in the colonial forces. He was the governor of Madagascar. In April 1914 he retired for health reasons and lived on his estate. The veteran was already 65 years old.
On August 7, 1914, the Anglo-French units lost a border battle with German troops. The Germans attacked bypassing Paris. Commander-in-Chief Joffre believed that Paris should be surrendered and a decisive battle should be imposed on the enemy beyond the Seine.
Minister of War Messimi demanded that Joffre create an army for the defense of the capital, but he remained silent. Then the minister summoned Gallieni and appointed him military commandant of Paris. The army of General Monuri was transferred to the garrison of the capital. The government left the city. Responsibility for the capital of France fell on an elderly, terminally ill person.
The old soldier showed courage, energy and foresight. Established aerial reconnaissance. The radio station at the Eiffel Tower was intercepting German communications. Trenches were dug around Paris, artillery positions were set up - the capital was turning into a fortress. Realizing the possibility of her fall, the commandant ordered the mines of some of the objects, including the Eiffel Tower.
Gallieni was the first to realize that the Germans abandoned the plan to capture Paris and turned east to take the French army in a tick. Thus, they exposed their flank to attack. Gallieni insisted on a strike by the forces of Monuri's army. Joffre waited. The British allies, whom Gallieni hoped to convince, did not speak at all to the tired, elderly man with glasses. And then the commandant of Paris began the movement of troops, without waiting for an order. A battle broke out on the Marne. At his critical moment, Gallieni managed to transfer 6,000 fresh soldiers from Paris in a day with the help of mobilized Parisian taxis - the Germans retreated.
Paris resisted. In 1916, Gallieni retired again and died. In 1921 he was posthumously awarded the title of Marshal of France.
The monument to the marshal was erected in the Place Vauban in 1926 (by the sculptor Jean Boucher). The square in front of the House of Invalids, the tomb of the great warriors of France, has become a worthy place for a monument to the man who saved Paris.
