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The Parker Post
Parker, Yuma County, Arizona
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General Joffre, in a Paris interview published Feb. 22, explains French losses at Charleroi and Soissons due to commanders' errors; some generals removed to refresh leadership.
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Battles Were Lost
PARIS, Feb. 22.—In a remarkable interview obtained by Paul Huard and published in Depeche de Toulouse, General Joffre, French commander-in-chief, has explained the military operations from the battle of Charleroi to the French defeat at Soissons.
"We ought to have won the battle of Charleroi," said General Joffre, "for our army was sufficient in numbers. We had ten chances to win to one. We lost it through our own fault by the mistakes of our commanders.
"Before the war broke out I knew that some of our generals were worn out, others inspired me with doubt and disquietude. My intention was to introduce a younger element into our superior command.
"Some of the generals have been removed, not as a punishment, but for the public weal.
"Soissons was a fatality, if you like, or a fault, if you prefer, but in any case only an episode."
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Paris
Event Date
Feb. 22.
Key Persons
Outcome
battles of charleroi and soissons lost due to mistakes of commanders; some generals removed for the public weal; soissons described as a fatality or fault, but only an episode.
Event Details
In an interview published in Depeche de Toulouse, General Joffre explained military operations from the battle of Charleroi to the defeat at Soissons. He stated that Charleroi should have been won but was lost due to commanders' mistakes despite sufficient numbers and ten to one chances. Before the war, he knew some generals were worn out or doubtful, intending to introduce younger elements. Some generals were removed not as punishment but for public good.