General Philippe Petain, commander of the French Second Army, Verdun, France mb-artist John_Sartain St Andrew Holborn

St Andrew Holborn

Boats travel along the River Thames whilst some are moored on the south bank of the river

which burned down

View of the proposed Holborn Viaduct across Farringdon Street

General Philippe Petain, commander of the French Second Army, Verdun, France mb-artist John_Sartain St Andrew HolbornGeneral Philippe Petain, commander of the French Second Army, Verdun, France, 1916. Petain (1856 1951) assumed command of the Second Army manning the front south of Verdun in July 1915. When the Germans enjoyed early success in their assault on Verdun in 1916 General Joffre placed Petain in direct command of its defence, a task which he accomplished to widespread acclaim. In 1918 he was promoted to Commander in Chief of the French Army.