Paul Ély

Paul Ély (1897-1975) was a French general who served in both World War I and World War II, as well as the First Indochina War. He is best known for his role as Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces during the crucial period of the Dien Bien Phu battle in 1954.

Ély began his military career during World War I, serving as an artillery officer. Between the wars, he held various staff positions and studied at the École Supérieure de Guerre (War College). During World War II, he participated in the French campaign and subsequently joined the Free French forces.

After the war, Ély rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces in 1953. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing the French war effort in Indochina. He visited Washington D.C. in March 1954 to request increased aid from the United States to bolster the French position at Dien Bien Phu. Despite his efforts, Dien Bien Phu fell to Viet Minh forces in May 1954, marking a turning point in the First Indochina War and leading to the Geneva Accords that partitioned Vietnam.

Following the Indochina War, Ély served as High Commissioner in Algeria during a period of increasing unrest. He later held other senior military positions before retiring from active service. Paul Ély is a significant figure in understanding French military policy and strategy during the mid-20th century, particularly in the context of decolonization.