Mariano Goybet - Before The War

Before The War

Goybet was born in Zaragoza, Spain to Pierre Jules Goybet and Marie Goybet. He was educated at the Lycée de Lyon, then at the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr, from which he graduated as a sous-lieutenant in 1884.

He served in the 2nd Regiment of Tirailleurs Algériens ("Turcos"), where he married Marguerite Lespieau, the daughter of his commanding officer, General Theodore Lespieau, who had fought in the Crimean War, the French conquest of Kabylie, the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune). Goybet was promoted to lieutenant in the 140th Regiment of Infantry, stationed in Grenoble, and then attended L’Ecole de Guerre (the War College), graduating with honors in 1892.

He served on the staff of the 27th Infantry Division, was promoted to capitaine in 1893 and was appointed as orderly officer to General Zédé, Governor of Lyon, in 1896. He commanded a company of the 99th Regiment of Infantry then, following another staff appointment, he was made chef de bataillon of the 159th Regiment of Infantry.

In 1907 he took command of the 30th Battalion of Chasseurs Alpins as lieutenant-colonel. He was still in command of this battalion when he was promoted to colonel. He was a good climber and skier and made many treacherous ascents with his troops in the Alps, including Mont Blanc, La Meije, and La Grande Casse).

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