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Updated: June 12, 2025
The officer who was conducting the three friends to the headquarters of General Petain turned and called a single word over his shoulder: "Hurry!" He broke into a run and the others did likewise. A short turn or two and they brought up before a tent somewhat larger than the rest. This the lads knew was General Petain's field headquarters.
He then telephoned to General Nivelle the necessary permission for us to enter Verdun. I doubt whether General Pétain realises the respect in which he is held in all the civilised countries of the world.
"Right you are, Chester. The first thing in the morning." It was morning. Hal and Chester, refreshed by a good night's rest, had just completed their toilets and were about to repair to the quarters of General Petain, there to report for the day's duty and also to inform the French commander of what they had learned the night before.
We knew the foe had suffered some hard blow, but I had no idea that it had been delivered by your hand." Both lads flushed at the praise of General Petain. Stubbs was pleased. "Now tell me what else you did, if anything," said the general. "Did you get the information after which you went?" "We did, sir," returned Hal.
Once during the armistice, in May or June, when Marshal Foch expressed his displeasure that the Premier should have issued military orders to troops under his command without first consulting him, he was on the point of dismissing the Marshal and appointing General Pétain to succeed him.
It was the night succeeding the day on which the lads had taken part in the defense of Thiaumont farmhouse. They had returned to their quarters late in the day, had reported to General Petain and had been relieved of duty until the following morning. It was now after 8 o'clock and they were strolling about the camp.
Probably he does not yet understand that people would come thousands of miles to have five minutes' audience with him, for he enquired if we were in any hurry to continue our journey, and added with charming simplicity "Because if not, and you do not mind waiting an hour, I shall be glad if you will lunch with me." A Meeting With "Forain" We lunched with General Petain and his Etat Major.
Upward and downward over the hills, through more ruined villages, more hospitals, more camps, our march took us until after a short hour we came to Souilly, general headquarters of the Army of Verdun, of Pétain, the centre of the world for the moment. Few towns have done less to prepare for greatness than Souilly.
I do not think we need talk of that just now, when she dares to go to Verdun." Whilst at coffee after lunch the news came of the continued advance of the British troops. General Petain turned to me and said, "You must indeed be proud in England of your new army. Please tell your English people of our admiration of the magnificent effort of England.
"I hope to see the conspiracy crushed, sir, before it gains further momentum," was Chester's reply. General Petain eyed the lad peculiarly. "Can it be that I have been misinformed?" he muttered to himself. Hal's keen ears caught the words. "I can assure you that you have been misinformed, sir," he replied firmly.
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