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S8 Ep1165: Nick Lloyd surveys the diverse personalities of the French high command, beginning with Joseph Joffre, whose "earthiness" and cal
Nick Lloyd surveys the diverse personalities of the French high command, beginning with Joseph Joffre, whose "earthiness" and calm "gravitas" were essential in absorbing the shock of the 1914 German invasion. While Joffre provided stability, the war also saw the meteoric rise and subsequent failure of Robert Nivelle, an artillery officer whose overconfidence in a "magic touch" led to the disastrous Nivelle Offensive in 1917. Following Nivelle, Philippe Pétainemerged as a "savior of France," noted for his deep connection to his troops and his refusal to sacrifice them in impossible situations…
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