Pierre Héring (1874-1963)
Soldier, Philosopher, Humanist
Historians justify their being through the way they report History to the public,
Politicians, often write memories to justify their personal engagements.
As for grandchildren of these personalities, shouldn't they promote to contemporaries,
History, and their ancestor’s place as they perceive them, time passing by?
This site wants to supplement some pages of history,
as from General Pierre Héring original and attaching personality.
Collecting his personal records, the site will reproduce the states of service of the General,
the mark of his teachings at the Ecole de guerre which he managed from 1926 to 1928,
his correspondence with Marshals Pétain, and de Lattre de Tassigny, Generals de Gaulle, Weygand, Castelneau, Laure, Gamelin, Guisan, Valluy,
and other personalities like François Maurillac, and Cardinal Tisserand.
What can discover a contemporary observer through the course of such a personality?
That French Army, after 14/18, dominated by a defensive strategy whose Maginot line remains a painful symbol, also included modern characters like General Héring,
promoter of la guerre de mouvement, concept that "enemies" and "friends" of France, had adopted as soon as 1930, French staff exempting modernization of its own Army.
That the circulating version, about the "collaboration" of Marshal Pétain with Hitler,
as well as what France has lived during World War II, is partial, and willingly
stamping a distorted image of French people and their legal Government’s resistance.
Attached to him since childhood, I assured the secretariat of his files, from 1960 to 1962. Sharing long time together, we have evoked his military career, his personal engagement during World War II, his relationship to Pétain, de Gaulle, Rémy, Pershing, de Lattre, Juin,
his vision of France after 45, his philosophy and spiritual engagement.
I keep from my grandfather, the souvenir of a deeply free person, respectful of institutions, lucid, with an indulgent look at the ingratitude of men in high places,
with a good sense of humour, and compassion for mankind.
This site will open to the public, to historians, and to political leaders, General Héring’s files, biography, correspondence, handwritten notes, testimonies of the creativity of his management at the Ecole de guerre, the defence of Paris in 39 where he was Gouverneur Militaire, the command of the Paris Army, and its difficult move to the Loire river, his testimony at Marshal Pétain’s trial in High Court,
the creation of the A.D.M.P where he was chosen as first president, his interviews with General de Gaulle till 1962, who has always kept him in high respect.
Author of an essay, "La destinée humaine", the site will reproduce his philosophical and spiritual thought, the creation of the Protestant Chaplaincy within French Army, and,
for the sake of Christian unity, his "rallying” at the age of 70, to the Ministère de Pierre !
Philippe Zeltner
Grandson of General Héring
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