Jean-Baptiste's Kleber's first taste of military life came in the Bavarian army but, in 1789, the lack of promotional opportunity saw him go back to his native Alsace and join the National Guard in time for the Revolution.
Kleber soon became angry at not being given similar acclaim as his peers - generals Hoche, Moreau and Pichegru - and rejected further offers of command.
Kleber shone during the campaign fighting well at Alexandria, El Arish, Jaffa, Acre and in independent command at Mt Tabor, where he held off vastly superior numbers.
JEAN BAPTISTE KLEBER (1753-1800), French general, was born on the 9th of March 1753, at Strassburg, where his father was a builder.
Shortly after these victories he was assassinated at Cairo by a fanatic on the 14th of June 1800, the same day on which his friend and comrade Desaix fell at Marengo.
Kleber was undoubtedly one of the greatest generals of the French revolutionary epoch.
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