Complex sentence: Marcel Émile Deslaurens (Bourges, 23 August 1883-Vlissingen, Netherlands, 17 May 1940) was a French brigadier general who died in World War II, during an act of gallantry that allowed a number of his men to retreat safely.
Split into simpler sentences: Marcel Émile Deslaurens (Bourges, 23 August 1883-Vlissingen, Netherlands, 17 May 1940) was a French brigadier general. He died in World War II during an act of gallantry that allowed a number of his men to retreat safely.