Joseph Joffre Biography

Birth of Joseph Joffre

Appointed Chief-of General Staff

A plan to mobilize 3 million troops against Germany, assumes Belgiums neutrality

Operation XVII is approved by the War Minister. A plan to mobilize 3 million troops against Germany, assumes Belgiums neutrality

The taking of Mulhouse, albeit without opposition, sparked wild celebrations in France, the French are regarded as liberators by the inhabitants of Mulhouse. The Battle of Mulhouse was intended to secure the recapture of Alsace (with Lorraine to follow separately), territories lost to Germany as a consequence of losing the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71

The taking of Mulhouse, albeit without opposition, sparked wild celebrations in France, the French are regarded as liberators by the inhabitants of Mulhouse

Appointed Commander of the French Army

Appointed Commander of the French Army

The Germans mount a counter-attack at nearby Cernay, Bonneau begins a slow withdrawal

Despatches a reserve division to assist in the defence, but they arrived too late to save the town from recapture, Bonneau withdrawing towards Belfort on 10 August in order to escape German encirclement

Charges Bonneau with a lack of aggression & relieves him of his command, Joffre adds four more divisions to the Army of Alsace placed under the command of General Pau

One of the battles of the Frontiers, the Invasion of Lorraine (also known as the Battle of Morhange-Sarrebourg) begins with the French First and Second Armies entering the city

The French First Army, under General Auguste Dubail, intended to take Sarrebourg, east of Nancy, a strongly defended town, with General Noel de Castelnaus Second Army taking Morhange, similarly fortified

One of the battles of the Frontiers, the Invasion of Lorraine (also known as the Battle of Morhange-Sarrebourg) begins with the French First and Second Armies entering the city.

The French First Army, under General Auguste Dubail, intended to take Sarrebourg, east of Nancy, a strongly defended town, with General Noel de Castelnaus Second Army taking Morhange, similarly fortified.

The French invasion of Lorraine forms one of the major objectives of the French pre-war offensive strategy against Germany, Plan XVII.

The French invasion of Lorraine forms one of the major objectives of the French pre-war offensive strategy against Germany, Plan XVII

The French First Army, under General Auguste Dubail, intended to take Sarrebourg, east of Nancy, a strongly defended town, with General Noel de Castelnaus Second Army taking Morhange, similarly fortified

Eight days after the French offensive had begun both First and Second Armies are back to the fortress zones of Belfort, Epinal and Toul

Eight days after the French offensive had begun both First and Second Armies are back to the fortress zones of Belfort, Epinal and Toul

The French forces begin a disorderly retreat, the 3rd Army withdrawing to Verdun chased by the German 5th Army (where Ruffey was subsequently removed by Joffre), and 4th Army retreating near Sedan and Stenay

The French forces begin a disorderly retreat, the 3rd Army withdrawing to Verdun chased by the German 5th Army (where Ruffey was subsequently removed by Joffre), and 4th Army retreating near Sedan and Stenay

The French forces begin a disorderly retreat, the 3rd Army withdrawing to Verdun chased by the German 5th Army (where Ruffey was subsequently removed by Joffre), and 4th Army retreating near Sedan and Stenay

The French forces begin a disorderly retreat, the 3rd Army withdrawing to Verdun chased by the German 5th Army (where Ruffey was subsequently removed by Joffre), and 4th Army retreating near Sedan and Stenay

Joffre orders a retreat to the Somme

Amiens is captured by the Germans

Joffre orders a retreat to the Seine-Aube-Ornain line

Orders the 6th French Army to defend Paris

Ordes retreat to the Rivers Seine & Aube south east of Paris & 60 km south of the Marne

Forms the 6th & 9th Armies in preparation for the German counter-attack

Orders the 1st & 2nd French Armies to hold the Germans around Verdun & Nancy

Stops further French retreat & orders an attack at the Marne

Counter-attacks against von Bulow & forces him to retire, the German advance is halted

Defeats von Kluck, the German Army retreats from Paris to the Soissons-Rheims line

France recaptures Amiens

France recaptures Rheims

Hopes to divert the Germans from the Eastern front

By the end of the battle the French have advanced 500 yards

Hopes to divert the Germans from the Eastern front

A final French attempt to attack the Germans is halted