Philippe Pétain was the hero of the Battle of Verdun in World War One. Pétain restored some form of pride to an army on the verge of defeat. Pétain turned a potential disaster for France into what some saw as a victory – at least, it was argued, Verdun did not fall to the Germans. He remains a controversial figure – a hero in World War One but vilified for what he did in World War Two and imprisoned for life.
Marshal Pétain, on the right
Philippe Pétain was born in 1856 in Cauchy-à-la-Tour near St. Omer. He was educated at a Dominican college at Arceuil before joining the infantry in 1878 as an officer. Pétain followed what would be considered a normal route for an officer. By 1906 he was teaching at the École de Guerre and in 1912, aged 56, he was promoted to colonel. Just before the outbreak of war, Pétain was promoted to general.
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