Joffre's Second Chance: Leadership in Preparing for and Conducting War

Abstract

General Joffre has been .labeled a scapegoat for Plan XVII's and France's failure during the opening campaign of World War I in 1914. B. H. Liddell Hart's writings malign Joffre's leadership ability and assert that another general conceived the decisive counter attack during the Battle of the Marne. Liddell Hart has misrepresented Joffre. Through his leadership, Joffre overcame complicated alliances, political restraints, and reinvigorated the army's spirit. Furthermore, he institutionalized a new strategy and an associated plan with which to carry it out. As Plan XVII later disintegrated in the face of a determined enemy, Joffre made bold strategic and tactical adjustments and prevented his army's and his country's defeat. Given the popular, political, and strategic situation, Joffre deserves the highest accolades for his leadership before and during the First Battle of the Marne.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 07, 2010
Accession Number
ADA602068

Entities

People

  • Edward C. Greeley

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Alliances
  • Combat Forces
  • Doctrine
  • Employment
  • First World War
  • Information Operations
  • International Relations
  • Leadership
  • Marine Corps
  • Military History
  • Military Operations
  • Military Personnel
  • New York
  • Personality
  • Personnel Management
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • History

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.