Mariano Goybet
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Mariano Goybet (Mariano Francisco Julio Goybet, Saragosse August 17 1861-1943) was a French general. He was Great officer of French Légion d'honneur.
An Old Savoy family
The Goybet Familly is an old family of Savoy wich can be traced back to the fourteenth century. They Descend from Louis VIII of France, Father of Louis IX of France (St Louis) and allied to the best local nobility. They were notaries, dealers, mayor, lords of The Manor, military and industrial People.
One branch of the family was ennobled. There was a provincial governor in 1753 . He was called Goybet de Lutrin de Grilly. He oversaw the provinces of Chablais and Genevois. The family has a coat of arms: a field of blue with three silver stars at the head and an upturned crescent at the point. Traversing the center is a bar of gold.
Mariano was born in Zaragoza, Spain) in 1863 and died in Yenne, France in 1943.
He was the son of Pierre Jules Goybet , an industrialist (1823-1912) and Marie Bravais . She was the niece of the physician Auguste Bravais , who studied the composition of crystal.
His grandmother was Louise de Montgolfier, niece of the famous inventors of the hot air balloon. The first flight human flight in the world was made with the Montgolfière at the end of the eighteenth century.
Mariano’s father and uncle brought the fabrication of paper to Spain. He also fabricated steam machinery and was made Chevalier and a member of the superior Council of Industry by the Queen of Spain.
Source: Henri Goybet, Henri & pierre Jaillard, Mariano Goybet
Before the war
Mariano was in the military school of St Cyr in 1884 and afterward attended L’Ecole de Guerre ( the school of war).
He married Marguerite Lespieau, the daughter of his general Theodore Lespieau. (Campaigns of Crimea , Kabyli and Paris Commune .
In 1907 he took command of the 30th Alpine battalion . He was still in command of this battalion when he was promoted to Colonel . He was a good alpinist and skier and he made many treacherous climbs with his troops in the Alps ( Mont Blanc, la Meige).
Source: Mariano Goybet
At the start of the world war he is assigned to the Vosges front with his Alpine battalion. In August, the first battles in Alsace were victorious :Gunsbach, [[Logelbach)), Munster. He seized a convoy of infantry (Bavarois) at Col Manday.
Placed at the head of the 152nd infantry regiment , the success in Alsace was followed by that of the Vosges ( Ormont and Spitzenberg ).
He then took command of the 81st Brigade . His troops took Steinbach in Alsace .
His son, the Sergent Frederic Goybet was killed while he was fighting in the Vosges) and Somme) months later he lost an other son, the adjutant Adrien Goybet . He died bravely conducting his section towards the trenches of Vandales in 1915.
Source : Mariano & Henri Goybet
1915 Verdun
He was wounded twice at Hartmanweilerskopf .
Afterward, he joined the 98th infantry regiment under the command of the 50th brigade and 25th division at the Verdun front .
In Autumn his division was transported north to the Battle of the Somme. He commanded the 50th brigade .
He was awarded the Order of the Army By Marechal Petain
March 19, 1919
Extract
He showed the best qualities of Chief at the battles of Ormont and Spitzenberg in September 1914, and at the battle of Steinbach and in the Vosges during the winter of 1914-1915. He was wounded in April 1915.
Source: Mariano & Henri Goybet
1917 The Pursuit of The Germans
In the beginning of 1917 he took command of the 25th Infantry Division . As the enemy retreated, he pursued them to the city of Saint Quentin.
In August his men seized the woods of Avocourt) after heavy fighting . In December, the Colonel was promoted to General .
Source : Mariano Goybet
1918 Victory With The Red Hand : African American soldiers in the battle
The Red Hand Division
In May 1918 , General Goybet was called by Headquarters to command the 157th division that had been decimated after the “Chemin des Dames.” It was reconstituted by putting together the 333rd infantry regiment (French) with the 371st and the 372nd American Regiments- the 372nd , being one of the oldest black battalions in the country , dating back to the civil war. The nuclear part of the 372nd was the National Guard Unit who had defended the Capitol Building and Washington, D.C. Those troops were chosen because the were considered to be extremely loyal.
General Goybet, commanding the 157th Division of infantry took special notice of the fact this was the first 4th of July to be celebrated by his Franco-American Division.
It is striking demonstration of the long standing and blood-cemented friendship which binds together our two great nations . The sons of the soldiers of Lafayette greet the sons of the soldiers of George Washington who have come over to fight as in 1776 , in a new and greater way of independence . The same success which followed the glorious fights for the cause of liberty is sure to crown our common effort now and bring about the final victory of right and justice over Barbarity and oppression
General Goybet commanding the 157th Division
The 157th Division participated with the fourth Army to the general offensive at Champagne . With violent attacks General Goybet broke the enemy front at Monthois. He took many prisoners and considerable materiel . After that he occupied the Vosges at the front of Sainte Marie les Mines .
October 8, 1918
General Order No. 234
I am proud to forward you herewith the thanks and congratulations of General Garnier-Duplessix and I want at the same time, dear friends of all ranks Americans and French, to tell you as your leader and as soldier, from the bottom of my heart how grateful, I am to you all for the glory you have acquired for our splendid 157th Division.
In these nine hard days of battle you have pushed ahead for eight kilometers , fought powerful enemy organization , captured close to 600 prisoners , taken 15 guns light and heavy , 20 infantry Mortars and artillery ammunition and brought down by rifle 3 aeroplanes . The red hand of this division is now in truth a blood- reeking hand . I grappled the Boche at the throat and made him yell for mercy. Our glorious comrades who died are well avenged.
General Goybet commanding the 157 Th Division
The bravery of the African American soldiers makes no doubt and has been recognized even it's sometimes a long way .One of the best exemple is The African American soldier Freddie Stowers from the 371st R.I. posthumously received the Medal of Honor for exceptional Heroism in World War One . His two surviving sisters Georgina and Mary received the medal at the white house in 1991 From President Georges H.W.Bush.
Source : Mariano & Henri Goybet, Richard Ford, Chester D. Heywood, Freddie Stowers Wikipedia
Distinguished Service Medal (United States) given by General Pershing
My dear General, the President delegated me to confer you the Distinguished Service Medal in the name of the United States government
As Commander of the 157th French Division of Infantry, you have been an important factor in the success of the allies by your valiant leadership and eminent tactical ability. The officers and soldiers of the 371st and 372nd American Iinfantry Regiments count it a great honor to have served as part of your command in the operations conducted by you in Champagne France and in theVosges.
General John J. Pershing
Source :Negro Combat Troops in the World War by Chester D. Heywood 1928 page 302
Mariano Give his military Honor to his troops
H.Q. 19 December 1918
General Order No. 248
Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, sappers, soldiers, gunners and cavalry men of the 157th Division :
The Marshal of France, commander in chief of the French Army, has ordered the dissolution of our division on the 20th of December 1918. It is therefore the last farewell I address to you this day, which is the last one I have the honor to command you. During seven months you gave everything I demanded of you. You have shown yourself strong in the defensive hardy and aggressive in the ‘Coup de mains’ magnificently brave and gallant in the offensive.
You have gloriously ended the 157th Division ‘career in the course of the great battle of Champaign, in breaking strongly fortified position, in progressing in a fierce struggle of nine days for more than eight kilometers, taking from the enemy a thousand prisoners, more than 20 guns,, several hundred machine guns and enormous material. During our mutual life, the powerful bonds which kept us together have been tightened by the sorrow of our cruel losses, as well as in then joy of victory. You gave me your confidence. In my turn I have given you the most precious thing I have to give: MY MILITARY HONOR. It has been put in good hands. With my soldier’s heart I think you.
The Divisions elements will be distributed in other organizations. You will take with your traditions of courage, discipline and affection to your new chiefs. To those who will ask were you come from, you will answer with pride, ‘We are the soldiers of the Division Goybet, the Division with the Red Hand: it was a fine Division! And you will give a proof of it by you conduct, In the memory of our dear dead I piously kiss the sacred folds of your banners. They have been worn out in the battle , they now wave on the winds of victory .
General Goybet
Source : Chester D. heywood
Former President Theodore Roosevelt on the African American's part in the war
Carnegie, Hall New York, on November 2, 1918
Extract
Well, thank Heaven we went in, and our men on the other side, our sons and brothers on the other side, white men and black, white soldiers and colored soldiers, have been so active that every American now can walk with his hand up and look the citizen of any other country in the world straight in the eyes, and we have the satisfaction of knowing that we have played the decisive part.
And now friends I want as an American to thank you, and as a your fellow American to congratulate you upon the honor won and the service rendered by the colored troops on the other side.
Source : Emmet J.scott
Damascus, The Holy City
In 1920 General Goybet was called by the General Henri Gouraud to command the third division of Levant.
The Arab revolt begun in 1916 goes as far as Damascus. It is a fight for the independence of Arabs from Ottoman Empire (Turks). “Laurence of Arabia” helped the Arabs in this fight on the side of Faysal.
They are helped with the English troops of General Allenby.
The first of October 1918 Damascus is taken.
We have, I think changed the current of history in the Near East, I ask myself how the great powerful nations will let the Arabs have their way.
T. E. Lawrence October 18, 1918.
Faysal is proclaimed King of Syria in March 1920. The powerful nations will share the Near East at the conference of San Remo in Italy in April 1920. Mandate has been given to France on Lebanon and Syria.
July 1920, the 24th Division commanded by General Goybet marches on Damascus. After the fight at the battle of Maysaloun, the General Goybet with his troops arrives victorious in Damascus. Faysal has escaped.
GENERAL ORDER No. 22
Aley, 24 July 1920
The General is deeply happy to address his congratulations to the General Goybet and his valiant troops: 415th of line, 2nd Algerian sharpshooters, 11th and 10th Senegalese sharpshooters, light-infantry-men of Africa, Moroccan trooper regiment, batteries of African groups, batteries of 155, 314, company of tanks, bombardment groups and squadrons who in the hard fight of 24 of July, have broken the resistance of the enemy who defied us for 8 months.
They have engraved a glorious page to the history of our country.
General Gouraud
An ancestor of General Goybet had been made prisoner in Damascus. It is Jean Montgolfier during the Second Crusade in 1147.
‘’ Isn’t it justice that allowed to the descendant of the slave to come in victorious to the Holy City.‘’ Mariano Goybet
Mariano was appreciated by his chiefs that found him a good tactician and a very cultivated man. He was friend with General Gouraud, Debenay, Petain. They admire his personnel library. He had passion for the arts and drew very well. The family book he made is an example of his artistic side. He liked also poetry. He had a correspondence with his favorite author Rudyard Kipling.
Source : Henri & Mariano Goybet, T. E. Lawrence, General Gouraud citation
Military tradition in the family
Charles Goybet (1825-191O) Division General
His uncle Charles Goybet was in the cavalry in the Army of Sardinia. He made an Italian campaign, Crimea. In 1860 he was squadron chief in the lancers of Florence and he choose France. He finished his brilliant career as General Inspector of French [[Cavalry]
Victor Goybet (1845-1947) Division General
His brother Victor was General in the Alpine troops. He participated to the defense of Verdun). He occupied Mayence in 1917.
Henri Goybet (1868-1958) Vessel Captain
His brother Henri was Captain and organized the defense of Paris by creating 10 section of cars with projectors. He is also Chief general staff of the Admiral Ronach in 1917.
Pierre Goybet (1887-1963) Rear Admiral
The third son of Mariano is Rear Admiral Pierre Goybet. He was in the fight in Verdun.
He commanded the cruiser Primauguet and landed at Aruba in the Antilles in April 1940 to protect Standard and Shell Petroleum installations against attacks from the Germans.
June 25, 1940, he brought a part of the French Gold Reserve from the Banque de France to Casablanca (Morocco) to be protected from the Germans.
November 1942, Casablanca
Debarcation of the Americans…He is the commanding officer of the port of Casablanca. He receives Generals George S. Patton, Kees and Wilburg to discuss the cessation of hostility.
Adrien Goybet (1922-1995) Marine Infantry Battalion Chief
Adrien Goybet, the son of the Admiral, was Battalion Chief in the Marine Infantry . He was trained with British troops under the orders of Lord Admiral Mountbatten (Force 136 whose commandos inspired the famous movie The Bridge on the River Kwai.
He is parachuted in 1945 into Cambodia that was at that time occupied by the Japanese. He prepared the landing of the troops of General Leclerc. He made the Indo-Chinese Campaign (1951-1954) as an Intelligence service officer as well as the Algerian campaign (1958-1961).
He is a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. There is in this family three generations of Legion of Honor recipients. The association of hereditary honors A.H.H. regroups all the families who have the necessary credentials. (Regulation of 1814 by Louis XVIII “to perpetuate in families the zeal for the good of the state by honorable souvenirs”).Chevalier Henri Goybet his son wanted to honor his Great -Grandfather who was in the Alpine troops for his military Service in the 27th Alpine Infantry Division. He is a member of A.H.H. The association includes 300 families in France.
- Something particular is that the family descends from Jeanne d’Artois, Louis VIII of France and the King Henry III of England (1207-1272) and has common ancestors with a number of American Presidents, among them George Washington and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Henri III is the great grandfather of Jeanne d’Artois.
Source: Mariano & Henri Goybet, Pierre Jaillard
References
- Informations from Henri Goybet from his website Famille du chevalier Henri Goybet verified by wikipedia France , great grand son of Mariano who wrote all the 6 French wikepedia article on Goybet familly and participated to the Red hand flag episode on PBS.
- Familly book written by Mariano Goybet between 1898 and 1931 (archives of Savoie cote IJ 288)
- Negro Combat Troops in the World War by Chester D. Heywood 1928
- The American Negro in the World War by Emmet J. Scott 1919
- Information from Pierre Jaillard Vice president of heraldic of France.
- Henri Jaillard genealogist. Les Goybet de la vallee de Yenne 25.08.64 (archives of Savoie)
- Note from Richard Ford
- Illustrations from the family book written by Mariano from 1898 to 1931 (archives of Savoie)
- French wikipedia article on Mariano Goybet
External links
Links in French
Links both in French and English