French Gen Marcel Bigeard dies aged 94
One of the most decorated French soldiers, who fought in the country's wars in Algeria and French Indochina, has died.
Gen Marcel Bigeard, 94, died on Friday, his wife told news agency Agence France-Presse.
Gen Bigeard was a commanding officer during the battle of Dien Bien Phu and the Battle of Algiers.
In 2000 he caused controversy in France by telling a newspaper that torture was a "necessary evil" in Algeria.
Gen Bigeard began his military career as an enlisted man, and retired from the army as State Secretary for Defence.
Resistance fighter
He was called up into the army at the outbreak of World War II and was captured in the Battle of France in 1940....
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Gen Marcel Bigeard, 94, died on Friday, his wife told news agency Agence France-Presse.
Gen Bigeard was a commanding officer during the battle of Dien Bien Phu and the Battle of Algiers.
In 2000 he caused controversy in France by telling a newspaper that torture was a "necessary evil" in Algeria.
Gen Bigeard began his military career as an enlisted man, and retired from the army as State Secretary for Defence.
Resistance fighter
He was called up into the army at the outbreak of World War II and was captured in the Battle of France in 1940....