General Jeannou Lacaze 1924–2005, Chief of the Defence Staff 1981–1985

General Jeannou Lacaze traversed the twentieth century with a serenity that even the most dramatic events seemed unable to disturb. He belonged to those rare men who are not moved at the slightest occasion, whose sensitivity does not awaken quickly but gradually, and whose feelings then become powerful and far more lasting. These are the men of strong, deep and secret passions, according to Clausewitz.
This work sheds light on the life of a man who served France with passion through the French Army, of which he held the highest office from 1981 to 1985.
A man of the shadows, he was nicknamed "the Sphinx" for his reserve in expressing himself.
The military career of General Lacaze allows the reader to discover the role of this officer in the military history of France after the Second World War, with as backdrop the Indochina War, the role of the SDECE in the Algerian War, the Defence policy of France elaborated by General de Gaulle, the role of the intelligence services — notably in Africa after decolonisation — the Soviet threat, the Cold War; and to illuminate the role of the Chief of the Defence Staff in the political transition of 1981, in Defence policy, his relationship with François Mitterrand and Charles Hernu, his influence on French policy in Africa, his role in nuclear deterrence, his relations with NATO — against a backdrop of East-West tensions, the SS-20 crisis, tensions and military operations in Chad and Lebanon, and in the Pacific. The author brings to this biography a personal touch that offers a glimpse of the man behind the officer. He also, through his functions in the shipping company Delmas Vieljeux, participated in negotiating the maritime transport of military equipment for Operation Tacaud to Africa in 1978 and, working in Africa, participated in the logistics of Operation Manta in Douala in 1983 and 1984.