Vicor Chaudrut was born at Coutras, a small town in Gironde, on August 30, 1914.
His childhood was marked by the 1st World War. In 1936, he entered the Saint-Cyr military academy. In 1940, during the "phoney war", Lieutenant Chaudrut volunteered to join the Corps Francs of the 57th I.R. (Infantry Regiment). He was assigned to carry out raids behind enemy lines, very risky operations in which he proved to be excellent. One night, his commando was discovered and the ten of them who survived the bloody confrontation that ensued, were captured and threatened with execution. He was finally taken prisoner to Germany where he attempted on three occasions to escape. From then on, having been officially declared "Enemy of Great Germany", Lieutenant Chaudrut was imprisoned in the Colditz fortress, near Leipzig. He attempted once more to escape, alongside other officers, by digging a forty-four-meter long tunnel. This operation, which was uncovered and foiled, inspired the film "The Great Escape", starring the American actor Steve Mac Queen, even though the roles were somewhat Americanized. Lieutenant Chaudrut was locked up successively in four disciplinary camps, and as before, he made one last attempt to escape but failed. He was finally liberated in Lubeck by British troops to reunite with his family after five years of separation.
From 1946 to 1949, Victor Chaudrut stayed in Madagascar. Promoted to captain, he volunteered to join the parachutists and left for Indochina in 1950. He took over the command of the 10th parachutist battalion of foot chasseurs, a unit which became very combative under his leadership. He occupied this post till 1952.
1954, in Morocco, Captain Chaudrut was in charge of transforming a 6th R.T.S battalion into a colonial parachutists battalion, which became the 6th R.P.C.
1956, in Senegal, and latter on in Mauritania, Major Chaudrut took over the command of the 4th colonial battalion of parachutist commandos with a mission to crush a rebel movement. This mission was successfully accomplished, notably through an airborne operation.
1960, in Algeria, Major Chaudrut was the second in command of the 8th RPIMa. He ultimately became the commander of this unit in April 1961, with the advent of the military coup. During this rather turbulent period, he maintained an upright and courageous attitude that prevented his regiment from being dissolved. Three years later, on June 30, 1964, Lieutenant Colonel Victor Chaudrut left the army to return to civilian life where he served as a driving licence inspector, and latter on as a senior driving licence inspector. From 1983 to 1993, Victor Chaudrut held the post of President of Amicale des anciens de "8".
Victor Chaudrut died early November 2007. His funeral oration was presented in Saint Martin d'Albi church, on November 3, 2007 by General François Cann. This volunteer serviceman, a great figure of the French colonial army, who exhibited an unrivalled audacity at the front, was the most decorated Lieutenant of the French army. He received a total of eight commendations, three of which were in the Army Order. Commander of the Legion of Honour, Lieutenant-Colonel Chaudrut was holder of the Second World War cross, Escapees Medal, T.O.E. war cross as well as several other awards. PC