Natalis Constant Darche information

Lieutenant Colonel Natalis Constant Darche (25 October 1856 – 1947) was a French army officer. The son of General Gregoire Darche, he served in the ranks for five years before becoming an officer cadet. Darche's early career was unremarkable; he saw no active service and progressed to the rank of lieutenant colonel by 1911. In 1912 he was appointed to command the border post at Longwy, an antiquated fortress. He established improvised outer defensive works towards the German border. Darche's command, some 3,500 men, defended the fort in the opening stages of the First World War. Despite being surrounded and with no hope of relief Darche held out for three weeks, delaying the advance of Crown Prince Wilhelm's 5th Army.

Darche was appointed an officer of the Legion of Honour for his actions. He was imprisoned in Germany, though he was transferred to neutral Switzerland when he fell ill and was afterwards repatriated to France. Darche was later appointed a commander of the Legion of Honour before he retired to Meaux. A square and technical college in Longwy are named in his honour.