Robert Petiet

Robert Marie Édouard Petiet (10 April 1880 – 15 October 1967) was a French army general. He served in the French Army from 1898 to 1941 and fought in both the First World War and Second World War.

Early life
Petiet was born in Paris, France in 1880 to engineer André Petiet (who was a descendant of Claude Petiet, a minister during Napoleonic France) and Adèle Bricogne. He and his brother, Charles Petiet would go on to be successful.

In 1898, Petiet joined French special military academy, Saint-Cyr and left the school ranked 50th out of the 550 students in 1900. As a ‘’Second Lieutenant of Dragoons’’, Petiet attended the Saumur Cavalry School where he graduated twice. Once as a Second Lieutenant and the other as a Captain. By 1911, Petiet was an instructor teaching at the academy.

First and Second World Wars
Throughout the First World War, Petiet commanded the 3rd Squadron of the 5th Dragoons where he is cited. He was then appointed to the staff of the 3rd Cavalry Division.

In September 1918, Petiet was moved to the 6th Cavalry Division as the Chief of Staff. Then between 1920 and 1928, Petiet was mechanising the weapons of the division and in 1926, was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel. Then in 1928 he was made General Inspector of the Cavalry.

In 1940, Petiet led the 3rd Light Cavalry Division to fire with his conduct earning him rare distinctions. Whilst Charles De Gaulle was occupied with other battles (such as the Battle of the Somme) Petiet was sent to Luxembourg where he was commanded to slow down the German advance.

Soon after Petiet was appointed Lieutenant-General and in 1941, nearly a year after France fell, Petiet surrendered his powers and left Vichy.

Medals and honours

 * Commandeur de la Légion d'honneur
 * Croix de guerre 1914-1918
 * Croix de guerre 1939-1945