Kiefer’s commando veteran, last survivor of the landing, Leon Gauthier celebrates his 100th birthday

Born on October 27, 1922, Léon Gauthier, the last French survivor of the Normandy landings, is celebrating his 100th birthday. Breton joined the navy aged just 17 in February 1940 during the Phony War. After the humiliating defeat of France, followed by the armistice signed against Nazi Germany, the sailor decides to volunteer for the Free Navy of England.

He carries out missions on buildings in the Atlantic Ocean, but also in the Mediterranean Sea. When Philip Kiefer created the 1st Marine Commando Battalion (1^eh BFMC), known today as Commander Kiefer, he joined the unit.

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Then he took part in the landings of June 6, 1944, on that occasion integrating the British brigade with which he set foot on the beach. A swordone of the five ranges identified for the operation Neptune. Leon Gauthier and his commando disembark 30 minutes before the rest of the troops to capture the bunker and neutralize the German battery. A few hours ago, Kiefer addressed his men.We may not return with ten of us. But whoever doesn’t want to leave, he can leave the ranks, I won’t hold it against him“. No one left.

German defensive mortars and machine guns are operating on the beach. Is he aware at this moment that he is entering history and that this moment in his life will disrupt the rest of his existence? “We don’t have time to look at the landscapeOn the occasion of this anniversary, the veteran recalled in an interview with France Bleu. “When I crossed the beach, I didn’t ask myself any questions. We have work to do, we arrive, we drive smoothly as fast as possible. […] We were told: “The closer you get to the district, the more you narrow the field of fire. Loopholes are very imprecise. So run as fast as you can to the beach.”“, he confided Figaro 2019 on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the landing.

Battle of Normandy

Then they join the brigade that participates in the operation Overlord, the code name given to the Battle of Normandy, which was to provide a bridgehead for the Allies to create a new front in Western Europe. During this battle, Leon Gauthier’s command unit lost 50% of its manpower.

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After the war, the sailor was demobilized and began a career in England, then Africa, in the motoring world, before settling in Wistream, not far from the landing beach. Since the death of Hubert Faure on 17 April 2021, the Léon Gauthier has been the last survivor of Kiefer’s command and the last French fighter still alive from the D-Day landings.

He is a member of the Order of the British Empire, was awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1939-1945 and was awarded the title of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor in 2020.I never thought I’d be a hundred years old, but you have to take life as it comes, sadness is not goodLeon Gauthier also trusted france blue before explaining.Unfortunately, I lost all my friends one by one.»

Source: Le Figaro

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