Denis Auguste Duchêne

Who was Denis Auguste Duchêne?

Denis Auguste Duchene was a French World War I general. He was born on 23 September 1862 at Juzennecourt, Haute-Marne and died on 9 June 1950 at Bihorel, Seine-Inférieure. He was promoted brigadier-general on 27 October 1914, then acting major-general on 12 March 1915 with the rank confirmed on 28 September 1916.

Duchêne is best known for his command of the French Sixth Army from December 1917 to June 1918. During the Third Battle of the Aisne, Duchêne's group held the high ground of the Chemin des Dames. However, he was openly contemptuous of General Philippe Petain's order to maintain a defence in depth, preferring instead to consolidate his troops in the front line. When the Germans attacked in late May 1918, his line broke and crossed the river Aisne. The German armies poured through, taking 19 kilometres in three days, and putting Paris within their reach.

Duchêne was relieved of his command by French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau on 9 June 1918. He remained in the army however and was made a Grand Officer of the Légion d'honneur on 16 June 1920. He retired in 1924 as head of the III Corps.