Georges Blanchard (1877–1954)[nb 1] was a French military officer. He served in theFrench Army inWorld War I on theWestern Front. InWorld War II, he was a general, commanding theFrench First Army, which advanced intoBelgium during theBattle of Belgium.
DuringWorld War I, he served on theWestern Front against theGermans.
From 1927 to 1930 Blanchard was the deputy chief of staff for theFrench Army of the Rhine. From 1930 to 1932 Blanchard was chief of staff to GeneralAdolphe Guillaumat. In 1932 he was promoted to general, and commanded the artillery of the 2nd Military Region. From 1935 to 1938 Blanchard was commanding general of the 7th Military Region. In 1938 and 1939 he was a member ofFrance's Supreme War Council, director of theCentre des hautes études militaires (Centre of Military High Studies) and Inspector-General for the Centres of Higher Military Education.[2]
Blanchard was appointed to command theFirst Army on 2 September 1939. The First Army encounteredGerman armored forces at theBattle of Hannut in May 1940 with success but was forced to fall back toLille after other French andAllied formations started to retreat. Blanchard took over the First French Army Group on 23 May 1940 following the accidental death of GeneralGaston Billotte.[1] AtLille andDunkirk, the First Army Group provided a blocking force that permitted theevacuation of Dunkirk. The First Army Group ceased to exist on 29 May 1940, six days after Blanchard took command. After a time as inspector of the 9th and 12th Military Regions for theVichy regime, he retired in 1940.[2]
Blanchard was awarded the Grand Cross of theLegion of Honour in early June 1940 by French premierPaul Reynaud at the recommendation ofMaxime Weygand, in honor of his actions which allowed the escape of so many soldiers atDunkirk.[3] Blanchard died on November 23, 1954.[4]
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