By PHIL DAVISON | Special To The Washington Post | Published: April 20, 2021 Hubert Faure, who died April 17 at 106, was one of the last two survivors of a 177-man French commando unit that landed alongside British forces under withering German machine-gun, mortar and shellfire on Sword Beach, Normandy, on June 6, 1944. With the rank of chief warrant officer, Faure was part of the 1st Battalion Marine Commando Fusiliers known as Kieffer commandos after its leader, Lt. Philippe Kieffer. It was the only French unit to take part in the D-Day landings, although the domestic French resistance had been harassing the Germans with guerrilla tactics throughout the war.
One of France s last surviving commandos who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day has died aged 106.
Hubert Faure was one of 177 French-led commandos who landed in the first wave troops ashore on June 6, 1944.
French President, Emmanuel Macron led tributes to Faure, claiming he had the gratitude of the nation .
Former French commando Hubert Faure, who was among the first troops to land in Normandy on June 6, 1944, pictured, has died, aged 106
Faure, pictured, was among a group of 177 commandos under the command of Lieutenant Philippe Kieffer
Faure and his comrades landed on the beach at Colleville, northern France and secured German fortifications at Ouistreham