General Olry - Victor of the Alps - June 1940

A graduate of the École Polytechnique and an artilleryman, René Olry (1880–1944) belongs to that category of soldiers who, with equal distinction, earn the admiration of their superiors, their peers and their subordinates. A man of character, he combined exceptional intellectual abilities with unwavering determination.

A specialist in mountain operations, he commanded the 29th Alpine Infantry Division in Nice from 1935. At the mobilisation of September 1939, he took command of the 15th Army Corps tasked with defending the Alpes-Maritimes, then became, in late October 1939, commander of the Army of the Alps. Though Italy declared its non-belligerence, this did not prevent Olry from preparing for conflict, training his units with rigour and tenacity, formulating hypotheses and drawing up operational plans.

Finally, when Mussolini declared war on France on 10 June 1940, the Army of the Alps, despite very limited resources, was ready for combat. Over the following 15 days, the Italians — joined by the Germans from 21 June — attempted to break through the French defensive line, but without success.

Why and how was General Olry able to win this Battle of the Alps at a time when all other French armies were collapsing? A study of his remarkably rich career as well as his personality sheds light on this question and yields lessons that remain valid today.

Max Schiavon, holding a doctorate in history, directed research at the Service historique de la Défense. A specialist in contemporary history, particularly military elites, he has published 23 works and received six literary prizes.