Maurice Herzog

Maurice Herzog ( born January 15, 1919 in Lyon, † December 13, 2012 in Neuilly -sur -Seine ) was a French mountaineer and politician.

Life and work

Maurice Herzog in 1950 was leader of the legendary French Annapurna Expedition, which was attended by Louis Lachenal, Lionel Terray, Gaston Rébuffat, Marcel Ichac, Jean Couzy, Marcel Schatz, Jacques Oudot and the doctor. Together with Lachenal was Duke on 3 June 1950 to the summit of Annapurna. The two were the first people who overcame an eight-thousanders. Herzog and Lachenal retreated to the death zone severe frostbite and barely escaped death on the mountain.

Duke's book Annapurna, which tells the story of the ascent, reached a circulation of millions.

1962 and 1967-1978 Duke was a deputy in Paris and has held from 1958 to 1965 the minister of Youth and Sports in the cabinet of Charles de Gaulle. In this role he also fulfilled numerous ceremonial duties. So he started for example in 1959 and 1965, the 24 - hour race at Le Mans.

From 1968 to 1977, Duke mayor of Chamonix. From 1970 to 1995 he was a member of the IOC, and since then until his death honorary member. He last lived in Neuilly -sur -Seine.

Duke heroic representation of the expedition of 1951 was in 1956 vertige by the publication of the diary of Lachenal, Les Carnets du, the Duke's brother Gerard had prepared after the death of Lachenal adds. This diary version was now but striking differences among the manuscripts Lachenals in 1996, his son took and which were used by Guérin publishing a new edition of the diary. There ensued a dispute and judgment that the fight with the mountain in fact strengthened the interpretation of Louis Lachenal in repeatedly questioned roles of the two mountaineers. Lachenal wrote that he had the most risky ascent only reason continue because Duke, who wanted to reach the summit at all costs, otherwise would have gone alone, which would have meant his certain death.

To a balanced presentation of the expedition and the different characters of the two climbers David Roberts is committed in his book True Summit. He moves in particular the merits of Gaston Rébuffat Lionel Terray and in the right light.

Specific references to Germany

  • The ancestors of Maurice Herzog, on the back of the surname, derived from Waldshut.
  • During the Second World War was Maurice Herzog member of the Resistance, which operated in the Alps.
  • Maurice Herzog served as minister under de Gaulle one of the fathers of the German - French Youth Office and was awarded in recognition of his achievements, the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Awards

  • Federal Cross of Merit with Star of the Federal Republic of Germany
  • 1978: Grand Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria
  • April 14, 2008: Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour ( Grand Officier de la Légion d' Honneur )
  • December 30, 2011: Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (Grand- Croix de la Légion d' Honneur )

Works

  • Maurice Herzog: Annapurna - First eight-thousanders. Ullsteinhaus, Vienna 1955. French original edition in 1951.
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