François Anthoine

François Paul Anthoine (28 February 1860 – 25 December 1944) was a French army general during World War I.

When the "Great War" began, Anthoine was General Castelnau's Chief of Staff (Second Army).

Anthoine played an important role in Robert Nivelle's ill-fated campaign in spring 1917.

Anthoine was eventually promoted to command French Fourth Army in March 1917 then French First Army in June 1917. At the Third Battle of Ypres in autumn 1917, Anthoine and the First Army participated in the attacks on the northern flank of the salient and guarded the BEF's northern flank from enemy attack across the Yser Canal. Herbert Plumer's Second Army was given a parallel task, attacking the southern flank of the salient and guarding the BEF's southern flank.

Anthoine then served as chief of staff to Petain, French commander in chief, but was dismissed as he was thought “too pessimistic” after the near catastrophe of the Third Battle of the Aisne in May 1918.

After this disgrace, François Anthoine died many years later in 1944.

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