General Joseph J'OFFRE was appointed
chief of staff in 1911. He adopted Plan 17 as the main strategy
for defending France from Germany. Devised by General Ferdinand
Foch, the plan involved attacking Germany at Lorraine and the
southern Aedennes.On the outbreak of the First World War Joffre
took command of the French Army. Although hampered by the rigidity
of Plan 17, Joffre did manage to adapt his strategy to help counteract
the German Schlieffen Plan. Following the advice of General Joseph
Gallieni, Joffre ordered the attack on the German Army at the
Marne.
Blamed for the failure to break though
on the Western Front and the losses at Verdun, Joffre was replaced
by Robert Nivelle in December 1916. Still popular with the French
public, Joffre was promoted to the post of Marshal of France.
However, he was now restricted to ceremonial duties in France
and military missions to the United States.
