Maurice Gamelin

Military Commander

1872 – 1958

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Who was Maurice Gamelin?

Maurice Gustave Gamelin was a French general. Gamelin is remembered for his unsuccessful command of the French military in 1940 during the Battle of France and his steadfast defense of republican values.

The Commander-in-chief of the French armed forces in World War II, Gamelin was viewed as a man with significant intellectual ability. He was respected, even in Germany, for his intelligence and "subtle mind", though he was viewed by some German generals as stiff and predictable. Despite this, and his competent service in World War I, his command of the French armies during the critical days of May 1940 proved to be disastrous. Historian and journalist William L. Shirer presented the view that Gamelin used World War I methods to fight World War II, but with less vigor and slower response.

Gamelin served with distinction under Joseph Joffre in World War I. He is often credited with being responsible for devising the outline of the French counter-attack in 1914 which led to victory during the First Battle of the Marne. In 1933 Gamelin rose to command the French Army and oversaw a modernization and mechanization program, including the completion of the Maginot Line defenses.

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Born
Sep 20, 1872
Paris
Also known as
  • Гамелен, Морис Гюстав
Nationality
  • France
Profession
Education
  • Ecole Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr
Died
Apr 18, 1958
Paris

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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