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Jean
- Baptiste Piron was born on April 10, 1896 in Couvin.
In 1913, at the age of 17 , he is allowed in the Military Academy, 64th
Promotion - Infantry and Cavalry.
In 1914, for the mobilization, he joins the 2nd Regiment of Line in Gent
where he joins the 2nd Company of the 2nd Battalion.
On August 18, 1914, he undergoes his baptism of fire in the fight of
Hautem-Ste Marguerite. He participates in the battle of Yser.
On March 26, 1916, he is promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
In December, 1916, he passes in the 22nd Regiment of Line.
In
October, 1917, he is hospitalised in Cabourg ( appendicitis). Being
temporarily unfit to be of use to the infantry, he goes to the aviation as
observer (6th Squadron of Houtem's reconnaissance).
On August 11, 1918, he is hurt further to an emergency landing. After a
short stay to the hospital, he joins his squadron.
On November 11, 1918, the armistice is signed. At 22 years old, J-B Piron
is appointed to the rank of captain.
He restarts his studies to the Military Academy then to the War school. In
April, 1926, he is appointed for the 2nd Armed force Staff in Antwerp
where he stays 3 years before being able to join the Regiment of
Grenadiers.
In March, 1933, he becomes captain.
In August, 1934, he joins Cyclists' regiment Border to Henri-Chapelle.
In March, 1936, he is appointed to the rank of Commandant and is appointed
for the 1st Regiment of Grenadiers. This same year, Belgium chooses once
again the politics of neutrality.
In September, 1939, he is allowed to the HQ of the 5th Armed Force.
May 10, 1940 begins the campaign of 18 days. Belgium capitulates on May
28. The Germans group together the Belgian officers to Maria-ter-Heide,
but J-B Piron can not accept any hardship of freedom. He escapes….
On April 12, 1941 he begin his long journey which will drop him in England
by way of Marseille, Nimes, Montpelier, Tarragona and Gibraltar.
Finally, on January 6, 1942, he lands in Greenock (Scotland).
The forming of the Belgian Fighting Unit had already begun in June, 1940.
On February 14, 1942, he is taken in force to the Staff company of the
Ground Forces.
On April 30, 1942, he receives the title of assistant superior officer
charged to steer the training of the 1st Riflemen Battalion, the battery
of artillery and the armoured squadron.
He creates a small staff with the lieutenant Didisheim and the commandant
Cannepeel. They are installed in Kineton.
On June 4, 1942, the Belgian forces in Great Britain are officially at the
disposal of allies while they exist since July 30, 1940.
On December 30, 1942, he goes to the Cabinet of the Prime Minister, Mr
Pierlot, who announces him the reorganization of the Forces of Earth. He
entrusts him to command the 1st Brigade which is born on January 21, 1943.
He settles down to Clacton-on-sea.
On April 13, 1943, he is named Lt Col. He continues the training of his
unit.
On August 4, 44, he is named Colonel.
After 30 months of England, he was going to be able to obtain with his
men, the vengeance of 1940.
On August 7, 1944, the Brigade lands to Courseulles. Begin then Campaigns
of Normandy and the return in Belgium. But his unit of elite does not
stop. He always begins in the head of "his" brigade, the
Campaign of Belgian Limburg , the Campaign of Holland and then the second
Campaign of Holland which will end with the German surrender.
In September, 1945, he becomes the Prince Regent--Aide-de-Camp. He
commands then the 2nd Infantry Division.
In December, 1945, he is appointed to the rank of General
In December, 1946, he commands the 1st Army Force of Occupation in
Germany.
In December, 1947, he is named Lieutenant - general.
In January, 1951, he becomes Leader of the Staff of the Ground Force.
He will end his military career by assuring the functions as King Baudouin
Aide-de-Camp, and president of the Committee of the Leaders of Staff.
He is retired in the date of the 1st July, 1957.
On September 4, 1974, anniversary of his triumphant entry to Brussels, he
dies to Uccle.
BELGIAN
DISTINCTIONS
· Eight Front
distinctions.
· War Cross with Palm.
· Victory Medal
· Commemorative Medal of the War 1914 - 1918
· Volunteer Medal 1914 - 1918
· Vermeil Lion on War Cross Ribbon 1914 - 1918
· Knight of the Crown Order Cross.
· Knight of the Leopold the First Order Cross.
· Century Medal
· Croix du Feu.
· Officer of Leopold the Second Order Cross.
· Military 2nd Class Cross.
· Officer of Leopold the Second Order Cross with glaives.
· Military 2nd Class Cross.
· Croix de Commandeur de l'Ordre de la Couronne.
· Grande Croix de l'Ordre de la Couronne avec palme.
· Croix de guerre 1940 avec palme.
· Croix de Commandeur de l'Ordre de Léopold.
· Médaille Commémorative 1940 - 1945 avec deux sabres croisés .
· Grand Officier de l'Ordre de Léopold.
FOREIGN
DISTINCTIONS
· Order of Companion honorary
of the Distinguished. ( Britanniques )
· Croix d'Officier de la Légion d'Honneur ( France )
· Croix de guerre française avec palme.
· Croix de Commandeur de l'Ordre Grand Ducal de la Couronne de Chêne.(
Grand Duché de Luxembourg )
· Croix de Commandeur de la Légion d'Honneur.( France )
· Grande Croix de l'Ordre d'Adolphe de Nassau .( Grand Duché de
Luxembourg )
· Grande croix de l'Ordre d'Orange Nassau avec glaives.( Pays - Bas )
· Croix de l'Ordre du Mérite Militaire TAIGUK.( Corée )
· Defense Medal.
· France and Germany Star.
· 1939 - 1945 Star. |
