Joseph Joffre

Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre OM, GCB (12 January 1852 – 3 January 1931) was a French general who served as Commander-in-Chief of French forces on the Western Front from the start of World War I until the end of 1916. He is best known for regrouping the retreating allied armies to defeat the Germans at the strategically decisive First Battle of the Marne in September 1914.

Marshal
Joseph Joffre
OM, GCB
General Joffre, unknown date
23rd Chief of the Army Staff
In office
29 July 1911  14 December 1916
Preceded byAugustin Dubail
Succeeded byRobert Nivelle
Personal details
Born(1852-01-12)12 January 1852
Rivesaltes, France
Died3 January 1931(1931-01-03) (aged 78)
Paris, France
Spouses
Amélie Pourcheyroux
(m. 1873; died 1874)
    Henriette Penon
    (m. 1905)
    Parents
    • Gilles Joseph Félix Joffre (father)
    • Catherine Plas (mother)
    Alma materÉcole Polytechnique
    Signature
    Military service
    Allegiance Second Empire
    Third Republic
    Branch/serviceFrench Army
    Years of service1869–1916
    RankDivision general
    Commands
    List
      • 19th Artillery Brigade
      • 6th Infantry Division
      • 2nd Corps
    Battles/wars
    List

    His political position waned after unsuccessful offensives in 1915, the German attack on Verdun in 1916, and the disappointing results of the Anglo-French offensive on the Somme in 1916. At the end of 1916 he was promoted to Marshal of France, the first such elevation under the Third Republic, and moved to an advisory role, from which he quickly resigned. Later in the war he led an important mission to the United States.

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