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72-536: Kati was the site of Camp Gallieni , where the 2nd Regiment of Senegalese Tirailleurs was garrisoned. On 13 May 1934 a war memorial was dedicated to dead from the First World War and the conquest of Sudan . After Mali became independent, the French Armed Forces left Kati on 8 June 1961. The Malian Army founded a military school at the base. Kati is the capital of the cercle of Kati. It

144-698: A massive Anglo-French offensive on the Somme , to be accompanied by Italian and Russian offensives, as floated at the Chantilly meeting in 6–8 December 1915. There was also friction over Gallieni's assertion of his right to appoint generals, Joffre's practice of communicating directly with the British generals rather than going through the War Ministry, and Gallieni's maintaining contacts with generals whom Joffre had replaced. In autumn 1915 Lt-Colonel Driant ,

216-474: A Marine Artillery Brigade (mostly Breton reservist sailors) and the 84th Territorial Division. Sixth Army was soon augmented by IV Corps from Third Army. Maunoury had an active division of VII Corps, a 5,000 strong native Moroccan brigade, and four reserve divisions: 61st and 62nd under Ebener, and 55th and 56th which had fought in Lorraine. Joffre also added Drude's 45th Division of Zouaves from Algeria, who made

288-655: A boost to morale) and adopt a less conspicuous uniform. This was vetoed on the grounds that dull uniforms might be confused with those of the enemy and might turn the army into a citizen militia like the Boers. At the 1911 manoeuvres Gallieni used air reconnaissance to capture a colonel of the Supreme War Council and his staff. He expressed reservations about the limited offensive strategy. His views on fortifications, artillery, and use of information obtained from aviation and intelligence were seen as unusual views for

360-614: A colonial soldier. In the same year, Gallieni was considered the logical choice for supreme commander of the French Army, but because of advanced age and poor health, he declined in favour of Joffre. His date of retirement is given as February or April 1914. His wife died in early summer 1914. Before the war he wrote of Joffre in his diary, "When I was riding I passed him in the bois [woods] today—on foot as usual—how fat and heavy he is; he will hardly last out his three years." He warned Joffre, correctly as it would turn out, that

432-538: A conference. Having first informed President Poincare in Bordeaux—in Tuchman's view, to force Joffre's hand—at 9:45   am he had the first of a series of telephone calls, conducted through aides, as Joffre would not come to the phone, and Gallieni refused to speak to anyone else. Gallieni would later write that "the real Battle of the Marne was fought on the telephone." He proposed, depending on how much further

504-584: A general officer who fought victoriously in war-time. Throughout his reign, Napoleon created a total of twenty-six Marshals of the Empire: The names of nineteen of these have been given to successive stretches of boulevards encircling Paris , which has thus been nicknamed the Boulevards des Maréchaux ( Boulevards of the Marshals ). Another three Marshals have been honored with a street elsewhere in

576-516: A huge impression marching through Paris, and IV Corps from Third Army. The Prefect of Police had resigned "on grounds of health" on being ordered to remain at his post. Gallieni stayed up with his staff all night drawing up plans for Sixth Army to give battle between the Oise and Pontoise. Joffre had Millerand place Gallieni under his own command on 2 September. The members of the Government of

648-717: A member of the Chamber of Deputies and commander of a chasseurs brigade, complained to Gallieni of how Joffre had been removing guns and garrisons from Verdun and even preparing some forts for demolition. Joffre was furious and disputed Gallieni's right to comment. Driant, who had served at Verdun, was a member of the Army Commission of the Chamber of Deputies . The Council of Ministers discussed his reports and President Poincare asked Gallieni to investigate. Gallieni wrote to Joffre (16 or 18 December 1915) expressing concern at

720-654: A military distinction and not a rank. Contrarily to ranks, which are awarded by the army, the distinction of Marshal of France is awarded by a special law voted by the French Parliament . For this reason, it is impossible to demote a Marshal. The most famous case is Philippe Pétain , who was awarded the distinction of Marshal of France for his generalship in World War I, and who was stripped of other positions and titles after his trial for high treason due to his involvement with collaborationist Vichy France : due to

792-662: A new French possession. He stayed in Madagascar with one brief interruption until 1905; his future commander Joseph Joffre served under him there. In August 1896 Gallieni reorganised French forces, captured and executed several rebel leaders. Early in 1897 he abolished the Malagasy monarchy and exiled Queen Ranavalona III to Reunion. Gallieni practised the tache d’huile (the " oil spot " method, which continues to influence counterinsurgency theory to this day ) and politique des races (literally, racial policy; i.e., eliminating

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864-586: A solution for the problems their countries are facing, like health of the reproduction of young people and teenagers, AIDS , advancing of the desert, wars, illiteracy etcetera. The meeting of Kati focused on the role of young people in the reinforcement of African integration and their role in the fight against the turning of their countries into a desert. Kati is twinned with: Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies its climate as tropical wet and dry (Aw). The rainy season takes place in mid-year, from June to September. From July to September, it

936-519: A three-hour meeting, the French generals proposed that Sixth Army was to move that afternoon, then on 5 September was to strike German IV Reserve Corps on the west flank. A provisional agreement was drawn up, with copies kept by Maunoury, Gallieni, and Lt-Col Brecard to take to GQG for Joffre's approval. The French came away with the impression that the British would not cooperate and that Murray had "une grande repugnance" for them, but he did in fact pass

1008-632: A working relationship in which he concentrated on supplying resources (not dissimilar to the role to which Kitchener was restricted in the UK from the end of 1915). However, Gallieni had prostate cancer, with pain making him less tolerant of criticism at a time when political disquiet was growing after the failure of the Second Battle of Champagne , especially the failed attack on Hartmannswillerkopf and its subsequent total loss. In Clayton's view, Gallieni may well have been sceptical of Joffre's plans for

1080-705: Is a French military distinction, rather than a military rank , that is awarded to generals for exceptional achievements. The title has been awarded since 1185, though briefly abolished (1793–1804) and for a period dormant (1870–1916). It was one of the Great Officers of the Crown of France during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration , and one of the Grand Dignitaries of the Empire during

1152-533: Is also a garrison city. The town has both a military hospital and a civil hospital. The town has several teaching facilities (many fundamental schools and a college). A youth club and arts centre were created with the support of the French co-operation. Kati is a thriving market town. An important cattle market takes place every week. Kati is located on the Dakar-Niger Railway and on the road Bamako - Kolokani and Kati- Négéla - Kita . The population

1224-541: Is mainly Muslim , but with the presence of a Roman Catholic mission the Roman-Catholic community is also well established. The population of Kati speaks primarily Bambara locally called Bamanankan . Since 2009, the mayor of Kati has been Hamalla Haidara. It is represented in the National Assembly of Mali by Gouagnon Coulibaly . It appears to have the headquarters of the 3rd Military Region of

1296-499: Is the rainiest and the daytime temperatures are the least hot. Its hottest months are from February to May with average maximum temperatures above 37 °C (99 °F). Joseph Gallieni Joseph Simon Gallieni (24 April 1849 – 27 May 1916) was a French military officer, active for most of his career as a military commander and administrator in the French colonies where he wrote several books on colonial affairs. He

1368-642: The First French Empire (when the title was Marshal of the Empire , not Marshal of France). A Marshal of France displays seven stars on each shoulder strap. A marshal also receives a baton – a blue cylinder with stars, formerly fleurs-de-lis during the monarchy and eagles during the First French Empire. The baton bears the Latin inscription of Terror belli, decus pacis , which means "terror in war, ornament in peace". Between

1440-491: The Lorraine offensive was beginning, Gallieni visited Joffre at the insistence of War Minister Adolphe Messimy , who felt intimidated by Joffre. Messimy imagined that Joffre would be more likely to listen to his former superior, but he was quickly palmed off onto the staff officer General Belin and his deputy Berthelot . As a condition of becoming Military governor of Paris , Gallieni demanded three active corps to defend

1512-676: The Military of Mali . From December 27, 2004, to December 30, 2004, the "Coordination des associations, organisations et mouvements de la jeunesse de Kati" organinized a meeting for young people from Mali , Burkina Faso , Guinea , Côte d'Ivoire , Senegal and Togo . The previous meeting took place in December 2003 in Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso. The young people had committed themselves to contribute their share to find

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1584-503: The "Zone of Armies" was extended to cover the Paris suburbs. From 10   am to 10:15   am Gallieni held his one and only Council of Defence, at which his military and civil cabinets, standing up and without discussion, were made to sign the order placing Paris in a state of defence. He sacked two generals in his first two days. On 2 September, the anniversary of the Battle of Sedan ,

1656-534: The Anglo-French talks in Paris (along with Grey (British Foreign Secretary ), Kitchener (British War Secretary), Joffre and Briand) at which it was decided to maintain an Allied presence in Salonika, although it was unclear for how long. He later ordered Joffre to send an extra French division, although not the two Sarrail demanded. Gallieni made an effort to unite soldiers and politicians, and to establish

1728-577: The BEF's right flank to keep contact between the BEF and Franchet d’Esperey's Fifth Army (the French and British generals of 1914 were extremely concerned at the prospect of armies being encircled and besieged, after what had happened to the French Armies at Sedan and Metz in 1870). Joffre, concerned that Gallieni might arouse Sir John's "touchiness," sent a telegram to Lord Kitchener ( British War Secretary ) thanking him for Sir John's efforts. It

1800-468: The Germans in a more "disadvantageous" position. Tuchman argues that he may simply have been swayed by the dominant personality of Gallieni, his former superior. At 8:30   pm Gallieni ordered the attack by Maunoury's Army, which was in fact already under way. At 10   pm Joffre issued General Order No 6 , ordering a General Allied Offensive. On 5 September Gallieni informed Maunoury that there

1872-594: The Germans were to be allowed to advance, to attack north of the Marne on 6 September or south of the Marne on 7 September. Joffre's reply, saying he preferred the southern option (which would take a day longer as it forced Sixth Army to cross to south of the Marne, but would allow Sixth Army and the BEF to not be separated by the river), arrived too late to reach Gallieni. To ensure British cooperation Gallieni, accompanied by Maunoury, left Paris at 1   pm to drive to BEF GHQ at Melun, driving past lines of southbound cars leaving Paris. He had already received advice from

1944-590: The Germans would come west of the Meuse in strength (i.e. make an enveloping move deep into Belgium, rather than a shallow incursion through the south-east corner of Belgium and down through the Ardennes). Gallieni was designated as Joffre's successor "in case of emergency" on 31 July. Joffre refused to have him at his headquarters, saying "He is difficult to place. I have always been under his orders. Il m’a toujours fait mousser [He always riled me]." On 14 August, as

2016-405: The Germans would not allow his forces enough time to rally. He spent the night of 2/3 September at his new HQ at Lycee Victor-Duruy, expecting a German attack the next day. On the morning of 3 September he learned that von Kluck was marching southeast across Paris, offering his flank to a French counterattack. The first public proclamation on the morning of 3 September promised to defend Paris "to

2088-573: The Republic have left Paris to give a new impulse to the national defense. I have received the mandate to defend Paris against the invader. This mandate, I shall carry out to the end. Paris, 3 September 1914 The Military Governor of Paris, Commanding the Army of Paris, GALLIENI Gallieni believed that Joffre's strategy of retreating behind the Seine was "divorced from reality" as

2160-592: The War College. In 1892-6 he served as a colonel in French Indochina commanding the second military division of the territory in Tonkin . In 1894 he led successful French action against the nationalist leader Đề Thám , but further military action was overruled by colonial administrators after Đề Thám was accorded a local fiefdom. In 1896 he was promoted to General and made Governor of Madagascar, then

2232-464: The War Minister's orders. A Presidential Decree of 2 December 1915 made Joffre "Commander-in-Chief of the French Armies" ( generalissimo ) over all theatres apart from North Africa. After considerable discussion this was approved by the Chamber of Deputies by 406–67 on 9 December. Gallieni cleared out soldiers from cushy jobs—three Paris theatres had been directed by Army officers. He authorised

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2304-551: The city. War Minister Messimy ordered Joffre to provide them on 25 August but Joffre, regarding this as interference with strategy, ignored the order. Gallieni learned from Messimy that 61st and 62nd Infantry Divisions, formerly the Paris Garrison, were being ordered north for Maunoury ’s planned offensive against the German west flank near Amiens, leaving Gallieni with only territorial troops. Already in poor health, Gallieni

2376-507: The day and a message from Wilson, insisted on speaking to Joffre personally on the telephone, informing him that it was too late to cancel the movement of Maunoury's Army. Joffre agreed to bring forward the Allied offensive to 6 September and to have Sixth Army attack north of the Marne instead, later writing that he had done so reluctantly as Maunoury would probably make contact with the Germans on 5 September, but that an extra day would have left

2448-539: The end of the 16th century and the middle of the 19th century, six Marshals of France were given the even more exalted rank of Marshal General of France : Biron , Lesdiguières , Turenne , Villars , Saxe , and Soult . The distinction of Admiral of France is the equivalent in the French Navy . The title derived from the office of marescallus Franciae created by King Philip II Augustus for Albéric Clément about 1190. The title

2520-590: The event other French leaders refused to join Viviani's government so Briand formed a new government on 29 October 1915, with Viviani as vice-president of the Council of Ministers (Deputy PM) and Gallieni as War Minister. Since July 1915 Joffre had been demanding that he be appointed commander-in-chief over all French forces, including those at the Dardanelles and Salonika. By November 1915 President Poincare

2592-669: The gap between their First and Second Armies, began to pull back on 9 September, giving the Allies a strategic victory in the Battle of the Marne. When the German warships Goeben and Breslau went to Constantinople, Gallieni proposed attacking the Turkish straits. By early December 1914 some of Gallieni's supporters were suggesting that he be appointed Commander-in-Chief in Joffre's place, or be made Minister of War, or both. Gallieni

2664-454: The government left Paris for Bordeaux, with the evacuation continuing through the night of 2/3 September. Paris was made a "camp militaire retranché" . Before departing, Millerand ordered Gallieni to defend Paris "à outrance," repeating the order when Gallieni explained that it meant destroying buildings and bridges. Gallieni later recorded that he had been certain that he was remaining behind to die. That day Gallieni told Joffre that without

2736-468: The government. Poincare wrote that Gallieni was trying to force Joffre's resignation, although it is unclear whether he was specifically trying to do so. Briand knew that publication of the report would damage morale and might bring down the government. Gallieni was persuaded to remain in office until a replacement had been designated and approved. Rocques was appointed as his successor after it had been ensured that Joffre had no objections. This would be

2808-473: The last attempt to assert ministerial control over the army until Clemenceau became Prime Minister late in 1917. The strain of high office having broken his already fragile health. Gallieni had prostate cancer. He underwent two surgeries at the Versailles clinic and died on May 27, 1916. Marshal of France Marshal of France ( French : Maréchal de France , plural Maréchaux de France )

2880-508: The last extremity." That morning Gallieni set engineers and civilian labourers to work cutting down woods and trees, and preparing bridges and buildings for demolition to clear lines of sight for guns. For three days concrete was poured and barbed wire strung up. Even the Eiffel Tower was prepared for demolition. Paris had 2,924 guns, ranging from 155mm to 75mm. Hospitals and fire departments put on alert. Gas for three months of electricity

2952-433: The liaison officer Victor Huguet that BEF Commander-in-Chief Sir John French , influenced by BEF Chief of Staff Murray and concerned about his supply lines along the lower Seine, was unlikely to join in any offensive. They arrived at 3   pm and with some difficulty located Murray, who had no idea when Sir John, who was out visiting British I Corps , was to return and was unwilling to make any decision in his absence. In

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3024-484: The meeting of the Superior Council of Defence (24 November 1915) Joffre had Briand address the demarcation of his own and Gallieni's authority, and objected to the Council discussing operational matters, threatening to resign if they attempted to interfere with his "liberty." Joffre met with Poincare and Briand both before and after the meeting to discuss the issue. Gallieni complained bitterly in his diary about

3096-625: The north bank of the Marne, although not specifying a date. This was in line with his modification of Instruction General No 4 (2 September), envisaging a giant pocket from Paris to Verdun, of which he enclosed copies to Gallieni. Gallieni decided that it was "vital to act quickly" so as not to leave Paris uncovered. At 09:10 on 4 September, based on the previous day's reports of Paris aviators, which he had passed on to Joffre, and on his own authority, he sent orders to Maunoury to be ready to move his army that afternoon (now reinforced with Drude's 45th Infantry Division) and to be ready to come to Paris for

3168-641: The performance of the French Commander-in-Chief, Joseph Joffre (formerly his subordinate, earlier in their careers), during the German attack on Verdun . He died later that year and was made Marshal of France posthumously in 1921. Gallieni was born in 1849 at Saint-Béat , in the department of Haute-Garonne , in the central Pyrenees. He was of Corsican and Italian descent. His father, born in Pogliano Milanese , had risen from

3240-415: The period, but Joffre had made no such order in writing, merely despatching de Castelnau to assess the situation. Gallieni launched an angry report at the Council of Ministers on 7 March—read in his usual precise way—criticising Joffre's conduct of operations over the last eighteen months and demanding ministerial control, then resigned. Gallieni was falsely suspected of wanting to launch a military takeover of

3312-483: The plans along to Sir John. While this was going on, Wilson (BEF Sub Chief of Staff) was negotiating separate plans with Franchet d’Esperey ( Fifth Army , on the British right), which envisaged Sixth Army attacking north of the Marne. In the absence of news from Franchet d'Esperey, Joffre ordered Major Gamelin to draft orders for Maunoury to attack south of the Marne on 7 September. That evening Gallieni, who returned to Paris find Joffre's message from earlier in

3384-568: The police to find "emergency locations" for them. That day Gallieni was ordered not to communicate directly with the government. This left Joffre "all-powerful" (in Gallieni's description), as he had sacked so many generals and Gallieni was his only serious rival. The same day, frustrated at the slowness at which the British were advancing into the gap between the German First and Second Armies, Gallieni sent Lartigue's 8th Infantry Division to

3456-482: The politicians’ unwillingness to stand up to Joffre. On 1 December Poincare and Briand met with Gallieni. They rejected the proposal prepared by his staff to vest authority in the Minister of War, Briand objecting that he would be obliged to answer questions in the Chamber about operational matters. Gallieni agreed that Joffre be commander-in-chief, with de Castelnau—who was soon sidelined—as his chief of staff, and under

3528-428: The previous day, Joffre telegraphed Millerand (8 September) demanding that he cancel Gallieni's "dangerous" message, and insisting that Gallieni was under his orders and had no business communicating directly with the government. On 8 September Gallieni ordered Maunoury, under heavy pressure from von Kluck, to hold his ground. Joffre gave permission for Maunoury to pull back his left if necessary. The Germans, concerned at

3600-409: The principle of separation of powers , the court that judged him did not have the power to cancel the law that had made him a Marshal in the first place. The last living Marshal of France was Alphonse Juin , promoted in 1952, who died in 1967. The latest Marshal of France was Marie-Pierre Kœnig , who was made a Marshal posthumously in 1984. Today, the title of Marshal of France can only be granted to

3672-559: The racial hierarchy that had prevailed and suppressing tribes that resisted French rule). Initially military, his role became more administrative, building roads, a railway, markets, medical services and schools. In 1905 Gallieni defended the code de l’indigenat (the right of French officials to mete out summary punishment, including corporal punishment and confiscation of property, to individuals and to entire villages), as it administered punishment more arbitrarily and swiftly than would be possible under due legal process. In 1905 Gallieni

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3744-608: The ranks to be a captain. As a student, he was educated, hard-working, and studious at the Prytanée Militaire in La Flèche , and then the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr . He was also gifted and outstanding in mathematics and languages. He later became a second lieutenant in the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment before serving in the Franco-Prussian War . Gallieni fought at Sedan and

3816-690: The renewed use of black African troops—50,000 in total—on the Western Front. He introduced foyers du soldat —waiting rooms for soldiers in transit at railway stations. Although Gallieni supported the Salonika expedition , he shared Joffre's low opinion of Sarrail ’s military abilities. On 12 November Gallieni ordered Sarrail to retreat to Salonika with as much of the Serb Army as he could gather. After Sarrail lobbied politicians for reinforcements Gallieni wrote back to 19 November telling him that he

3888-404: The resignation of Delcasse as Foreign Minister, the unsuccessful autumn offensive and the entry of Bulgaria into the war , he asked Joffre, who had told him that nine out of ten generals would make poor ministers of war, whether Gallieni would be a good replacement for Millerand as Minister of War . Joffre replied "perhaps," then after a pause for thought "maybe." Although Gallieni agreed, in

3960-409: The state of trenches at Verdun and elsewhere on the front—in fact matters were already being taken in hand at Verdun. The political atmosphere was poisonous after the opening of the German attack at Verdun (21 February). Rumours circulated in Paris that Joffre had ordered the abandonment of Verdun at the end of February 1916 when the Germans first attacked. Gallieni demanded to see all paperwork from

4032-579: The taxicab troops had even less impact than sometimes supposed. Although "great publicity for Gallieni; militarily it was insignificant" in Herwig's view. Upon seeing the "taxicab army" ferrying troops to the front, Gallieni made one of the most oft-quoted remarks of the First World War: " Eh bien, voilà au moins qui n'est pas banal! " ("Well, here at least is something out of the ordinary!"). Learning of Gallieni's contingency plans to evacuate Paris

4104-475: The three corps it would be "absolutely impossible to resist." Joffre placed Maunoury's Sixth Army , which was retreating down from the Amiens area, under Gallieni's direct command as the "Armies of Paris." Gallieni at once drove out to inspect his new command—he was horrified by the sight of the refugees—and to visit Maunoury. Gallieni had four territorial divisions and the 185th Territorial Brigade. He soon received

4176-589: The upper Niger. He also served in Reunion and Martinique . In 1886, he had risen to the rank of lieutenant-colonel , and was later appointed governor of the French Sudan , during which time he successfully quelled a rebellion by Sudanese insurgents under Mahmadu Lamine . He was outstanding at colonial penetration without open hostilities in West Africa in 1880 and 1886–8. In 1888 he was appointed to

4248-401: Was Gallieni's decision to send 103rd and 104th Infantry Regiments (5 battalions, part of Trentinian's 7th Infantry Division, itself part of IV Corps; most of 7th Infantry Division, including artillery, had been sent to the front by rail and truck the previous night) to the front on the night of 7/8 September, in taxicabs commandeered the previous evening. The division's attack failed completely so

4320-688: Was abolished by the National Convention in 1793. It was restored as Marshal of the Empire during the First French Empire by Napoleon . Under the Bourbon Restoration, the title reverted to Marshal of France, and Napoleon III kept that designation. After the fall of Napoleon III and the Second French Empire , the Third Republic did not use the title until the First World War , when it was recreated as

4392-512: Was an early supporter of some kind of expeditionary force to the Balkans. Early in 1915 Gallieni supported the proposal of Franchet d’Esperey and Aristide Briand (Justice Minister) for an expedition to Salonika, which he hoped would detach first Turkey then Austria-Hungary, leaving Germany "doomed." President Poincare came out in favour of such a scheme, over Joffre's opposition, on 7 January 1915. With Viviani ’s government in trouble following

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4464-725: Was appointed Military Governor of Lyon and commandant of the Army of the Alps (XIV Corps). Also in 1906 he became a member of the Conseil Superieur de la Guerre (the Superior War Council, a body of senior generals chaired by the President ). General Victor-Constant Michel ( Generalissimo , i.e. Commander-in-Chief designate of the northeast front, and vice-president of the Superior War Council),

4536-411: Was appointed on 26 August, not yet knowing that he did not have the resources he had demanded. However, on that day Viviani formed a new government ( Union sacrée ), and on 27 August the new War Minister Millerand (who had replaced Messimy largely because of the poor state of the Paris defences) visited Joffre, who promised to provide the three corps if Maunoury's attack should fail. On 28 August

4608-452: Was critical of the tactical doctrine of offensive à outrance (taking the offense to the limit). He also wanted to thrust into Belgium in the event of war, and to increase the size of the army by attaching a regiment of reservists to each regular regiment to form demi-brigades. Along with Yvon Dubail and Pol Durand, Gallieni was one of those who told War Minister Messimy that Michel must be removed. Following Michel's removal Gallieni, who

4680-450: Was not going to receive the four corps he wanted, although on 20 November he sent Sarrail (whom he thought "indecisive and not up to the task") a telegram giving him a free choice as to whether to assist the latest Serb attack and when to fall back on Salonika. With evacuation of the Gallipoli bridgeheads under discussion, Gallieni was willing to divert troops there from Salonika for one last attempt. On 9–11 December Gallieni took part in

4752-414: Was not strong enough to advance into Belgium, and that Maubeuge should be fortified more strongly. His successor Lanrezac shared his concerns. After tours of the area Gallieni had failed to persuade the authorities to modernise Maubeuge. Like a number of officers with colonial experience, Gallieni wanted the French army to give up the pantalon rouge (red trousers worn by French soldiers, allegedly as

4824-413: Was persuaded, and Briand, initially reluctant because of the difficulty of defending Gallieni's inclusion in his new ministry, agreed and on his first day in office asked Poincare to help him persuade Gallieni to accept Joffre's enhanced role. Gallieni agreed and wrote to Joffre—having first shown the letter to Briand—assuring him that "you can count on me." Briand had the two men meet and shake hands. At

4896-453: Was recalled from retirement at the beginning of the First World War . As Military Governor of Paris he played an important role in the First Battle of the Marne , when Maunoury 's Sixth Army , which was under his command, attacked the German west flank. A small portion of its strength was rushed to the front in commandeered Paris taxicabs. From October 1915 he served as Minister of War, resigning from that post in March 1916 after criticizing

4968-404: Was stockpiled, along with bread for 43 days, salt for 20 days and meat for 12 days. Pigeons were brought under state control for carrying messages. Lt-Col Dreyfus rejoined the artillery. Civilian paniquards were encouraged to leave and reconnaissance patrols were set up. On the night of 3–4 September Joffre sent a handwritten note to Gallieni, wanting Maunoury's Sixth Army to push east along

5040-422: Was taken prisoner at Bazeilles , scene of the stand of the colonial marines. He learned German while a prisoner there, and later kept a notebook in German, English and Italian called "Erinnerungen of my life di ragazzo" ("Memories of my life from boyhood [onwards]"). He was promoted to lieutenant in 1873. His colonial career began in 1876 in Senegal. He was promoted to captain in 1878. He led an expedition to

5112-489: Was the preferred choice of Prime Minister Caillaux , declined the job of Army Chief of Staff. This was partly because of scruples after having forced Michel out, partly because of age—he was two and a half years away from retirement—and partly because the Metropolitan Army might resent a colonial soldier getting the job ( "une question de bouton" ). His former subordinate Joffre was appointed instead. Gallieni commanded Fifth Army until his retirement, and protested that it

5184-604: Was to be no retreat and issued secret orders for the destruction of important parts of Paris, including the Pont Neuf and the Pont Alexandre III . On 7 September Gallieni, concerned that with Maunoury's Sixth Army fighting out in the open, Paris was now vulnerable, telegraphed the government in Bordeaux to discuss the possible evacuation of the civilian population from the Paris suburbs, and ordered prefects and

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