Historical Figure
Philippe Pétain
1856–1951
French general (1856–1951)
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Biography
Henri Philippe Bénoni Omer Joseph Pétain, better known as Marshal Pétain, was a French military officer who commanded the French Army in World War I and later became the head of the collaborationist regime of Vichy France, from 1940 to 1944, during World War II.
Timeline
The story of Philippe Pétain, told in moments.
Took command of the defense of Verdun. His order "They shall not pass" became the French rallying cry. The battle lasted ten months. Nearly 700,000 men were killed or wounded on both sides.
Named head of the Vichy government after France fell to Germany. He was 84. He signed the armistice and collaborated with Nazi Germany. His regime deported 76,000 Jews.
Put on trial for treason. Found guilty and sentenced to death. Charles de Gaulle, his former protege, commuted the sentence to life imprisonment.
Artifacts (15)
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