Born in Rivesaltes, in the South-West of France, Joseph Joffre comes from a wine-growing family. A graduate of the École polytechnique, he began his career in military engineering (construction of military structures) and took part in operations in the Far East and Africa.
In 1911, he became head of state- Major General of the French Army. He will reorganize and organize the army, which will be operational at the outbreak of the First World War. As the Germans entered France, Joffre decided to initiate a strategic retreat in order to avoid encirclement and save Paris. Gathering the troops to organize a counter-offensive, Joffre won the crucial Franco-British victory in the Battle of the Marne, east of the capital (September 1914).
The negative results of the Battle of the Somme, triggered in July 1916, led Joffre to be replaced by Robert Nivelle. However, promoted to marshal, he took part in the preparations for the United States' entry into the war. Very popular for the French, he entered the French Academy after the end of the Great War.
1852 - 1931
Status
Military