Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Awarded on:

1944

Citation:
"Before the landings in the South of France by the 7th Army, Col Zeller, French Army, under the pseudonyms of FIASCEAU and General JOSEPH, was Delegué Militaire of the S. Eastern Zone, and as such commanded all French resistance in the Area bounded by the Rhône, the Mediterranean, the Italian frontier and the East-West line through Geneva.
For over a year prior to the landing Col. Zeller conducted guerilla activities in this area as a result of which a great strain and heavy losses were imposed on the enemy. During this period he personally led the memorable defence of the VERCORE plateau against very strong German forces. Without direct knowledge of the military intention, Col. Zeller anticipated the allied landing, and made plans and dispositions of his forces which materially assisted U.S. VI Corps'advance up the Route Napoleon. At the beginning of August, he came out of France, saw Gen PATCH to whom he disclosed his dispositions and gave much valuable information.
After the landing, Col. Zeller was appointed Chief of Staff to Gen COCHET, Commandant Zone Sud, and immediately atatched himself to Hq. 4 S.F.U. In this capacity he showed the highest personal qualities which gained him the respect of the many British and American officers with whom he came in contact. His tact and loyalty to the British and American Joint C.O.'s of 4 S.F.U. enabled the many difficult situations which arose with Commandant Zone Sud to be met with the minimum friction and maximum efficiency. Owing to the trust he inspired, he completely shared the confidences of the British and American C.O.'s in matters affecting Anglo-American relationships with the French, and clearly demonstrated his conviction that truth rahter than national sentiment must be the basis for Allied cooperation in the future."

Originally recommended for a C.B.E.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Général d'armée (General)

Citation:
"This officer has been since the Armistice in France in 1940 one of the moving spirits in French resistance. From June 1940 to November 1942 he organised parts of the Armée de l'Armistice into a military resistance movement, and when the army was dissoved he immediately took a leading part in coordinating and organising, in the former unoccupied zone, all elements of that army who had joined the clandestine movement.
At this time he became head of military resistance, but when the Gestapo began looking for him at Vichy he was forced to leave France. He escaped to England and later went to Algiers. His wife had been arrested and tortured by the Gestapo in an effort to find him.

Early in 1944 he was sent back to France as F.F.I. Commander in the area between LYON and MARSEILLE, where he worked with energy and devotion to bring all elements of resistance into a unified army.

From the beginning, General Zeller advocated a rapid advance to GRENOBLE on the part of Allied troops landing on the Mediterranean coast, and made plans for paralysing German garrisons and troop movements at the appropriate time. After D.Day he directed operations himself, and showed superb leadership and magnifice courage during the defence of BARCELONNETTE and in the battle of VERCORS. Owing to his unsparing efforts and wide vision, the F.F.I. were ultimately sufficiently armed to carry out the plan od protecting the Allied advance on GRENOBLE and LYON. As, by the end of July, there was no assurance that this plan would be carried out, General ZELLER went to ALGIERS and convinced the Allied staffs of the necessity and practicability of a lightning advance through the Alps and up the Rhone valey.

It is difficult to estimate accurately the invaluable service rendered to the Allied cause by General Zeller, but it is certain that he was largely responsible for the weakness of enemy opposition to the Allied landing in the South of France. He handled with admirable skill and tact the political differences between various elements of resistance, and showed the greatest friendliness and cooperation towards all British and American officers working in France. He had a high reputation in Southern France for his courage, integrity and singleness of purpose. His one desire was to drive the Germans from france with the minimum loss of life, both to the Allied landings troops and the French civilian population. The success of his work is shown in the correctness of his prophacy that if the F.F.I. were sufficiently armed, GRENOBLE would be taken within seven days of an Allied landing.

A full Colonel in the French regular army, this officer was promoted General in July 1944.
It is recommended that he be appointed a Commander in the Order of the British Empire (Mil)(Hon|)."

Signed
Colin Gubbins
Major-General

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

October 13th, 1946

with Rosette

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With 3 citations