It can also be argued that Joffre, the CinC of the French Army played a much larger role than he is given credit for, even with his failures before the battle. It's Joffre who sends leaders and men into the fight, and it's also him who moves Pétain in May due to the latter's notorious pessimism.

The next, General Nivelle, is remembered primarily for his offensives of 1917, which saw him removed from command. He takes over command of the French forces at Verdun in May, 1916. Meaning for the vast majority of the battle, HE was in command. It was also Nivelle who said "Ils ne passeront pas!"

In the panoply of French generals of #WWI, other men can and should claim that title, and I argue they should do so with stronger arguments than Pétain. The first is de Castlenau, the man on the spot in the first days of the battle. Rushing reserves in his direction saved the east bank of the Meuse.

Historians today are of the opinion that Pétain himself was not the savoir of Verdun as his PR team would claim. I HIGHLY suggest reading the below chapter in the 2025 released ‘Les dramaturgies de Verdun’. If you need translation help let me know.

editionspierredetaillac.com/products/les...

Haha it was the only way I’d get on screen! I’ve got a few issues but it’s a great documentary to get folks into it.

As a #WWI guy, it's also really sad because the LARGEST and BLOODIEST battle in American history remains the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. The doughboys never got their due.

For the French Army 22 August 1914 (27,000 KIA alone) and 25 September (closer to 28,000) were the worst days. The German Army’s was 21 March 1918.

The medical staff of the RCIM awaits trucks to take them to rest areas. Standing at the left is médecin auxiliaire Le Gall, who had cut the skirts off of his capote so he could move more easily in the mud and water of the Verdun battlefield.