Jean Degoutte

Jean Marie Joseph Degoutte (18 April 1866, Charnay, Rhône – 31 October 1938) was a French general active in the colonies and the First World War.

In 1895 his request to join the French expedition to Madagascar was denied, resulting in him taking a three-month leave.

Arriving there amidst the landing of the French expeditionary forces, he was arrested by General Dechesnes, but Colonel Bailloud was able to persuade his senior officers to release Degoutte and utilise his language skills.

[1] Degoutte returned to Tunisia in March 1896 where he remained until 1899, when he entered the Ecole Superieure de Guerre.

[1] Following the start of the First World War, Degoutte was appointed Colonel and then Brigadier General in 1916, whereon he took command of the Moroccan Division in the French Army.