Philippe Pétain (Wilhelmine Era)

Henri Philippe Benoni Omer Joseph Pétain (24 April 1856 – 23 July 1951), generally known as Philippe Pétain was a French general and politician who ruled France, first as President of the French Fourth Republic from 1931 to 1934 and then as Chief of State of the French State from 1934 to 1949.

During the Great War Pétain led the French army to victory at the Battle of Verdun. Following the failure of the Nivelle Offensive he became Chief of Staff of the French Army, and served as the commander of the French Army during the French Civil War of 1917-19. He retired as Chief of Staff in 1930, and the following year was elected Aristide Briand's successor as President of the Republic.