Joseph de Goislard de Monsabert

Who was Joseph de Goislard de Monsabert?

Joseph de Goislard de Monsabert, was a French general who served during the Second World War.

Monsabert graduated from Saint-Cyr military academy and was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1911. He initially served with the 44th Infantry Regiment and then was moved to the 3rd Moroccan Rifle Regiment, with which he first saw combat in 1912. Assigned to the 1st Mixed Rifle and Zouaves Regiment and then the 9th Zouaves March Regiment in the First World War, he finished the war at the head of a battalion and as a holder of the Legion of Honor.

Promoted to Colonel in 1937, he was made a Brigadier in August 1941. This promotion was followed by promotion to Major General in March 1943. He was promoted again to Lieutenant General in August 1944, and then to General in September 1946.

Monsabert commanded first the Corps Franc d'Afrique and then the reserve elements of the XIX Corps during the campaign for Tunisia.

Subsequently, he commanded the 3rd Algerian Infantry Division with the French Expeditionary Corps in the Italian Campaign. On 3 July 1944 his forces liberated Siena.