Émile Speller

Colonel
Émile Speller
A de C
Born (1875-10-07)October 7, 1875
Niederanven, Luxembourg
Died January 17, 1952(1952-01-17) (aged 76)
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Allegiance  Luxembourg
Service/branch Luxembourg Army
Years of service 1902-1945
Rank Major
Colonel (honorary)
Commands held Major Commandant of the Gendarmes and Volunteers Corps
Battles/wars

World War II

Awards

Émile Speller (7 October 1875 - 17 January 1952) was a Luxembourgish military officer and the commander of the Luxembourg Army during the German invasion of Luxembourg in World War II. He also served as aide-de-camp to several members of the Grand Ducal Family throughout his career and chamberlain of the Grand Ducal court.

Biography

Émile Speller was born on 7 October 1875 in Niederanven. On 1 June 1902 he began his service with the Grand Ducal Court, being appointed as an aide by Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg. He subsequently served as aide-de-camp to Grand Duke William, Grand Duchess regent Marie Anna, Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde, and Grand Duchess Charlotte.[1] On 12 January 1927, he was promoted to the rank of captain.[2] On 25 February 1937, Speller was appointed Major-Commandant of the Corps des Gendarmes et Volontaires.[3] On 30 April 1937, he was appointed via ministerial order to be chairman of the supervisory commission on forestry education.[4] On 2 February 1938, he was appointed to the Supreme Military Court of Luxembourg.[5]

Major Speller reorganized Luxembourg's troops on 24 February 1939. He still served as the force's commander during the German invasion of Luxembourg in 1940.[Note 1] Most of the soldiers did not partake in the fighting, as only those who volunteered for guard duty were stationed along the border. The rest remained in their barracks, leaving the defence of the country to the Grand Ducal Gendarmerie. Total casualties amounted to six gendarmes and one soldier wounded. 22 soldiers (six officers and 16 non-commissioned officers) and 54 gendarmes were captured.[7]

After the invasion Speller was briefly incarcerated by the Gestapo. He was released but monitored closely by them throughout the rest of the occupation.[1] On 3 March 1945, the returned and reformed Luxembourg government appointed Speller to the 1945 Pension Board for the Army.[8] On 7 October, the government retroactively recognized Speller's resignation, effective exactly five years previously. On 9 August 1946 he was granted the title of honorary colonel.[9] Speller continued his service to the government as the chamberlain of the Grand Ducal Court.[10]

On 17 August, 1950, he escorted the Grand Ducal family during the ceremonies surrounding the wedding of Princess Alix and Belgian Prince Antoine.[11]

Speller died at his home in Luxembourg City on 17 January 1952 following a long illness.[1]

Notes

  1. ↑ The Corps des Gendarmes et Volontaires was under the ceremonial command of Prince Felix, but actual control of the unit rested with Speller.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Bulletin D'Information" (PDF) (Press release) (in French). Grand Duché de Luxembourg Ministére D'État. 29 February 1952. p. 30. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  2. ↑ "Mémorial du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg." (PDF) (Press release) (in French). Service central de législation. 15 January 1927. p. 16.
  3. ↑ "Mémorial du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg." (PDF) (Press release) (in French). Service central de législation. 27 February 1937. p. 122.
  4. ↑ "Mémorial du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg." (PDF) (Press release) (in French). Service central de législation. 8 May 1937. p. 322.
  5. ↑ "Mémorial du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg." (PDF) (Press release) (in French). Service central de législation. 19 February 1938. p. 167.
  6. ↑ Thomas, Nigel (2014). Hitler's Blitzkrieg Enemies 1940: Denmark, Norway, Netherlands & Belgium (illustrated ed.). Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 15. ISBN 9781782005971.
  7. ↑ "Bulletin D'Information" (PDF) (Press release) (in French). Grand Duché de Luxembourg Ministére D'État. 31 October 1948. p. 147. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  8. ↑ "Mémorial du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg." (PDF) (Press release) (in French). Service central de législation. 24 March 1945. p. 123.
  9. ↑ "Mémorial du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg." (PDF) (Press release) (in French). Service central de législation. 24 October 1946. p. 780.
  10. ↑ The Diplomatic Year Book. Funk & Wagnall. 1951. p. 472.
  11. ↑ "Bulletin D'Information" (PDF) (Press release) (in French). Grand Duché de Luxembourg Ministére D'État. 31 August 1950. p. 112-114. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
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