--- title: "Life and Death of Philippe Kieffer" description: "Learn about Philippe Kieffer, founder of the Free French Commandos. Discover his role on D-Day, the liberation of France, and his wartime leadership." url: "https://www.normandy1944.info/home/commanders/life-and-death-of-philippe-kieffer" date: "2026-07-26T15:08:16+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- ![Life and Death of Philippe Kieffer](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/commanders/german/d-day-normandy-beyond-commanders-philippe-Kieffer-background.jpg) # Life and Death of Philippe Kieffer ## Highest military rank: Commander (Capitaine de Frégate) Country of origin: French [](#) [](#) - [Life and Death of Philippe Kieffer](#) Commanders ## Who was Philippe Kieffer? **Philippe Kieffer** was a **French naval officer** and the **founder** and **commander** of the **Free French Commandos** during the **Second World War**. Best known for leading the **177 French commandos** who landed on **Sword Beach** on [**D-Day**](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/battles/battle-of-normandy), he became one of the most prominent figures of the Free French Forces. Under his leadership, French volunteers trained alongside British commandos and participated in raids, special operations and the liberation of Western Europe. Kieffer's name remains closely associated with the only French unit to land in the first assault waves on **6 June 1944**. ### Quick Facts **Full Name:** Philippe François Kieffer **Born:** 24 October 1899, Port-au-Prince, Haiti **Died:** 20 November 1962, Cormeilles-en-Parisis, France **Nationality:** French **Service:** Free French Naval Forces (FNFL) **Rank:** Capitaine de Frégate (Commander) **Known For:** Founder and commander of the Free French Commandos **Major Operations:** Dieppe Raid, Normandy Landings, Walcheren Campaign **D-Day Role:** Commander of the 177 French commandos who landed on Sword Beach **Awards:** Companion of the Liberation, Commander of the Legion of Honour, Croix de Guerre 1939–1945, Military Cross (United Kingdom), Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) ### Early Life **Philippe François Kieffer** was born on **24 October 1899** in **Port-au-Prince, Haiti**. His father was of Alsatian origin and his mother was English, giving him an international upbringing from an early age. He later moved to the United States, where he studied at **La Salle Extension University** in Chicago. Before the outbreak of the Second World War, Kieffer worked in banking and international business. His professional career exposed him to different cultures and languages, and he became fluent in both French and English. These language skills would later prove invaluable when working closely with British military authorities and commandos during the war. ### Second World War and the Birth of the Commandos When the Second World War began in **September 1939**, the forty-year-old Kieffer volunteered for military service. Commissioned as a reserve officer in the French Navy, he served aboard the battleship **Courbet** and was later assigned to the Northern Fleet headquarters during the **Battle of Dunkirk**. Refusing to accept the French surrender following the German invasion, Kieffer escaped to England on **19 June 1940**. On **1 July 1940**, the day the organization was officially established, he joined the **Forces Navales Françaises Libres (FNFL)**, the Free French Naval Forces led by supporters of **General [Charles de Gaulle](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/commanders/life-and-death-of-charles-de-gaulle)**. Initially employed as a translator and cipher officer because of his fluency in English, Kieffer became fascinated by the aggressive tactics and effectiveness of the newly formed British Commandos. With the support of **Admiral Émile Muselier**, he received permission in **May 1941** to create a French commando unit modelled on the British example. The volunteers were incorporated into **No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando** and underwent the demanding commando training course at **Achnacarry** in Scotland. Kieffer was promoted to **lieutenant de vaisseau** in **July 1942**, and his men participated in their first major combat operation during the **Dieppe Raid (Operation Jubilee)** on **19 August 1942**. Throughout 1943, the unit expanded and carried out reconnaissance missions, raids and sabotage operations along the occupied coastlines of France and the Netherlands. By early 1944, Kieffer commanded the **1er Bataillon de Fusiliers Marins Commandos**, consisting of 177 highly trained volunteers, including several Luxembourgish personnel. The battalion was attached to **No. 4 Commando** within the **1st Special Service Brigade**. ### D-Day and the Liberation of France On **6 June 1944**, Kieffer's commandos became the only French unit to land in the first assault wave of the Normandy invasion. At approximately **07:31**, recently promoted to **capitaine de corvette**, Kieffer led his men ashore at **Sword Beach** near **Ouistreham**. The French commandos immediately came under heavy German fire while advancing toward their objectives. During the fighting, Kieffer was wounded twice by shrapnel in the leg. Despite his injuries, he refused evacuation and remained with his men during the critical opening phase of the battle. The commandos successfully captured key positions around Ouistreham and advanced inland, linking up with British airborne troops from the **6th Airborne Division** near **Pegasus Bridge**. During the Normandy campaign, the battalion suffered heavy casualties, with **21 men killed** and **93 wounded**. After a brief recovery period, Kieffer rejoined his unit on **14 June 1944** and participated in the advance toward the Seine estuary and Honfleur. In **August 1944**, Kieffer and two of his commandos were among the first members of the Free French Forces to enter liberated Paris. > At approximately the same time, his eighteen-year-old son, who had joined the French Resistance, was killed by German forces near the capital. ### Operations in the Netherlands By **October 1944**, the French commandos had expanded into a larger battalion consisting of three companies. Kieffer led his men during the amphibious assaults on **Vlissingen** and **Walcheren Island** as part of the campaign to clear the **Scheldt Estuary** and open the vital port of Antwerp to Allied shipping. The commandos fought alongside British and Canadian forces in difficult conditions against determined German resistance. > Following the capture of Walcheren, Kieffer's men continued operations against German positions on the occupied Dutch islands until the final months of the war. ### Post-War Career Following the liberation of Europe, Kieffer remained active in public service. In **1945**, he was appointed to the **French Consultative Assembly** and later served within the Inter-Allied Forces Headquarters. His wartime achievements earned him numerous French and foreign decorations. He continued to serve in the French Navy Reserve and was promoted to **capitaine de frégate** in **1954**. ### Death After suffering from a long illness, **Philippe Kieffer** died on **20 November 1962** in **Cormeilles-en-Parisis, France**, at the age of sixty-three. In accordance with his wishes, he was buried in **Grandcamp-Maisy, Calvados**, in the Normandy region that he had helped liberate eighteen years earlier. Today, Kieffer remains one of the most celebrated figures of the Free French Forces, and the French naval commandos continue to honour his legacy. ### Key Dates **24 October 1899:** Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. **September 1939:** Volunteers for service in the French Navy. **19 June 1940:** Escapes to England following the French collapse. **1 July 1940:** Joins the Free French Naval Forces (FNFL). **May 1941:** Receives authorization to form a French commando unit. **July 1942:** Promoted to lieutenant de vaisseau. **19 August 1942:** Participates in the Dieppe Raid. **6 June 1944:** Leads the French commandos ashore on Sword Beach during D-Day. **14 June 1944:** Rejoins his unit after recovering from wounds. **August 1944:** Among the first Free French soldiers to enter liberated Paris. **October 1944:** Participates in the Walcheren Campaign and liberation of the Scheldt Estuary. **1945:** Appointed to the French Consultative Assembly. **1954:** Promoted to capitaine de frégate. **20 November 1962:** Dies in Cormeilles-en-Parisis, France. ![Life and Death of Philippe Kieffer](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/commanders/german/D-Day-Normandy-Beyond-Commanders-Phillipe-Kieffer-2026.jpg) Personal information - Philippe Kieffer - Born: 24 October 1899 - Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Died: 20 November 1962 - Cormeilles-en-Parisis, France --- Highest achievement: Commander (Capitaine de Frégate) --- --- [ More info can be found here ](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillippe_Kieffer) Page updated on: 05 July 2026 Philippe Kieffer's medals and awards Below are some of the primary medals and awards associated with this biography, illustrated in part by identical, period-original examples from my personal collection. ![Legion of Honour](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/medals/french/Knight-of-the-Legion-of-Honour.png) Legion of Honour Awarded for excellent civil or military conduct delivered. ![Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/medals/british/Order-of-the-British-Empire.png) Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) Awarded to individuals for outstanding service or significant achievement to their community or industry ![Croix de Guerre](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/medals/french/croix-de-guerre.png) Croix de Guerre Awarded for military duty during World War II. ![Companions of Liberation](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/medals/french/Companion-of-the-Liberation.png) Companions of Liberation Awarded for exceptional service in the liberation of France and outstanding devotion to the Free French cause. ![Medal for Voluntary Service in Free France](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/medals/french/_Me%CC%81daille_des_Services_Volontaires_dans_la_France_Libre.png) Medal for Voluntary Service in Free France Awarded to those who voluntarily joined and served with the Free French Forces after the 1940 armistice. ![Medal of Recognition of Liberated France](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/medals/french/Reconnaissance_de_la_France_Libe%CC%81re%CC%81e.png) Medal of Recognition of Liberated France Awarded to honor individuals who made a significant contribution to the liberation of France during the Second World War. ![1939–1945 Star](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/medals/british/1939-1945-Star.png) 1939–1945 Star Awarded for operational service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. ![Defence Medal](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/medals/british/Defence-Medal.png) Defence Medal Awarded for non-operational military and civil defence service during World War II. ![France Germany Star](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/medals/british/France-and-Germany-Star.png) France Germany Star Awarded for entry into operational service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland and Germany in World War II. ![Military Cross](https://www.normandy1944.info/images/medals/british/Military_Cross.png) Military Cross Awarded for exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land. #### Cite this historical page I aim to provide accurate, open-access accurate historical records. 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