Léopold Aimé Flaba was born on January 20, 1925, at Uckange, Moselle.
During the Second World War, while still a young student, he joined the active Resistance.
Since his mission was to deliver supplies to the maquis of his sector, he had the opportunity to command a company at the front and used his position to inflict serious losses on German troops. Upon graduation from Ecole des cadres des FFI, aged eighteen, he was promoted to second lieutenant. He was sent to the 4th RTM in October 1944, where he exhibited exceptional leadership skills.
After Germany surrendered, he obtained a parachute certificate and left for Indochina, where he indulged in new war adventures. Responsible for checking the progress of an enemy column, he was dropped in front of the latter with his section of Laotien paras. Wounded as he stood, he directed the gun number’s shot with his FM piece. He, nonetheless, accomplished his mission. In June 1947, transferred to the 1st RCP, he performed a crazy act of bravery by swimming across a river to go and find one wounded friend of his, killing several Viet troops point blank, and re-crossing the river carrying the body of his fatally wounded friend. During the period that followed, he carried out several actions along the Chinese border and was wounded by a mortar splinter. He was flown home, and after an end of campaign leave, he returned to Indochina, first to the 1st RCP, and then to the GCMA. Thereafter, Captain Flaba was entrusted a company at the North airborne base.
Captain Flaba,
flanked by Lieutenants Ruiter and Tessier
and Warrant Officer Lair
When the Indochina war ended, Captain Flaba was sent to train parachute officers, before going to Algeria on January 1st, 1957, where he joined the 18th RCP at Batna in the Aurès. As commander of the 3rd company, he participated in all the major operations of the 25th DP. He once more exhibited his foolhardiness by taking his company to attack and destroy a strong rebel gang.
Between two transfers to Strasbourg, where he was again assigned to train parachute officers, he returned to Algeria. In the 9th RCP, Major Flaba served as deputy commanding officer. Thereafter, he became the commander of a battalion of the 158th RI, and in October 1970, he ended his active military career within the 62nd division company. He was promoted to reserve lieutenant-colonel in 1976.
Late July 2008, in the evening of a life marked by courageous and generous acts, Aimé Flaba left us.
Commander of the Legion of Honour, injured twice, commended nine times, including two in the Army order, this great volunteer serviceman was holder of the Second World War cross, the overseas operations war cross, the military valour cross, and several other awards.
During the religious ceremony at his funeral on August 2, 2008, in the Strasbourg military chapel, General Barbe, responsible for his eulogy, speaking to Madam Flaba and his children and grandchildren, paid tribute to this tough-hearted, efficient yet generous man, who always showed much concern to his subordinates. Senior officers and non-commissioned officers, who served under him, were proud. His parachutists respected him and were forever impressed by his virtues of a just boss, who cared about the welfare of his men, and shared their good and bad moments.