André Corap

André Georges Corap was a General in the French Army who fought in World War II. He commanded the 9th Army during the battle of France in 1940.

Early life

Corap was born in Pont Audemer, Normandy. His father was a tailor.

Military career

In 1898 he graduated from École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr and joined the French Army. He commanded colonial troops in Algeria and Morocco. In 1905, he was admitted to the Collège interarmées de défense.

First World War

In 1914, he was a captain in the Zouaves. He spent most of the war working as a staff officer for Generals Foch and Petain.

Interwar

He fought in the Rif War, capturing the leader of the insurgents, Abd el-Krim.
Corap was promoted to Brigadier General in 1929 and Major General in 1933. He was promoted to Lieutenant General in 1935 and given command of 2nd Military Division in 1937.

World War II

In 1939, at the outbreak of war, he was given command of the 9th Army. The 9th Army was deployed to cover the Ardennes during the German Blitzkrieg in 1940, and Corap was held responsible for the German breakthrough by the French high command. He was relieved from command on 19 May 1940, and retired into the reserves on 1 July 1940, a week after the surrender of France on 25 June.