Commemoration of the landing of the 2nd DB
29 and 30 July 2023 at the Normandy Victory Museum
Two days dedicated to the 2nd Armoured Division, with a vehicle parade, conference, book signing and public discussion.
Saturday 29th July
At 2.30pm: conference by General Michel (President of the Association of Former Members of the 2nd Armoured Division): “The Leclerc epic through the story of its Constable, General Dio”. Location: Greenfield room / Free of charge, subject to availability.
At 5pm: arrival of the “Roulade” 2nd DB, a column of around thirty military vehicles in the colours of the 2nd DB on parade at the museum. Location: Normandy Victory Museum car park / Free of charge
The DFL Normandie association, which is organising this “roulade”, is also offering you its 2nd DB military camp at Saint-Martin-de-Varreville (20 minutes from the museum) throughout the weekend.
Sunday 30th July
At 3pm: public discussion on “Jean Gabin in the 2nd DB”, with Mathias Moncorgé (son of Jean Gabin) and Philippe Gélinet (son of Gabin’s superior during the war). Location: Greenfield Hall / Free of charge subject to availability
4pm to 5pm: signing of the book Jean Gabin, La guerre c’est pas du cinéma by Mathias Moncorgé, author of the foreword. Location: Greenfield Room / Free, subject to availability
Who is General Dio?
He was one of General Leclerc’s closest companions, perhaps one of the most glorious, according to General Michel, who will be talking about him during his conference. But he was also one of the least well known. From the time they met in Cameroon in 1940, the two soldiers never left each other’s side until 1945, when Leclerc appointed him as his successor. At the age of 37, he became the youngest general in the French army in the 20th century.
General Leclerc
General Dio
Mathias Moncorgé
Jean Moncorgé (Gabin)
Jean Gabin and the 2nd DB
He was an iconic actor, extremely popular with the public, but his role as a combatant was much less well known. After refusing the easy life in Hollywood, where he had gone into exile, Jean Moncorgé (Gabin) joined the French fighting forces. In 1944, he joined General Leclerc’s 2nd DB and became the oldest tank commander in the Free French Army. Aboard the Souffleur, he went as far as Berchtesgaden. On his return to France after the war, Gabin remained very discreet about this role, which for him was not cinema.
Gabin and the 2nd DB
He was an iconic actor, extremely popular with the public, but his role as a combatant was much less well known. After refusing the easy life in Hollywood, where he had gone into exile, Jean Moncorgé (Gabin) joined the French fighting forces. In 1944, he joined General Leclerc’s 2nd DB and became the oldest tank commander in the Free French Army. Aboard the Souffleur, he went as far as Berchtesgaden. On his return to France after the war, Gabin remained very discreet about this role, which for him was not cinema.
Jean Moncorgé (Gabin)
Mathias Moncorgé
This year, make the most of your stay in Normandy to discover the incredible career of an icon of French cinema, Jean GABIN. A man who refused to “stay in the dark” when his country and his compatriots were going so badly. Claustrophobic and afraid of fire, he nevertheless became a tank commander. Far from the glitter and fame, among his brothers in arms, he is Jean Moncorgé, a combatant like any other. The “Jean Gabin, la guerre c’est pas du cinéma” exhibition, organised with and thanks to Gabin’s son Mathias Moncorgé and curator Patrick Glâtre, sheds light on a period of his life about which he spoke very little out of modesty, believing that he had “just” done his duty.
The exhibition takes place at the Normandy Victory Museum from April 1 to November 5, 2023. Read more
Do you have an ambassador card?
Do you have a Normandy Victory Museum ambassador card for 2023? Here’s your VIP advantage: reserved seating in the front rows for the conferences. Remember to contact us a few days before to book.