Admiral Courbet

Amédée Courbet born in Abbeville en 1828, was a French Admiral during the 19th century, who was particularly active in Asia. He was a Polytechnician.

Related Topics:
Abbeville - 1828 - Asia - Polytechnician

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He was appointed governor of New Caledonia from 1880 to 1882, then commander of the Naval Division of Tonkin in 1883. He established the Protectorate of Annam.

Related Topics:
New Caledonia - Tonkin - Annam

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He was put in charge of the French Army of China in 1884, and led the Franco-Chinese War and organized the blockade of Formosa (Taiwan) between 1884 and 1885. He died two days after having obtained peace with China and its famous Black Flag on the ship Bayard.

Related Topics:
1884 - Franco-Chinese War - Taiwan - Black Flag

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Pierre Loti was an officer ("Enseigne de Vaisseau") under Courbet. He wrote:

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"He was very careful not to shed French blood. His battles were highly organized, worked in advance with so rare a precision that the result, often decisive, was always obtained by losing very little of ours; and then, after the action which he had undertaken with total absolutism, he became again another man, very soft, making the visit of the ambulances with a generous and sad smile. He wanted to see all the casualties, even the humblest, to hold their hand, and they died more content, more comforted by his visit " Pierre Loti

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