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Philippe Pétain

Historical Figure

Philippe Pétain

1856–1951

French general (1856–1951)

Victorian Era

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Key Dates

Birth

1856 April 24, 1856 →

Death

1951 July 23, 1951 →

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.

Source: Wikipedia · Compiled March 2026 · AI-summarized

Timeline

1856
Birth

French general and politician, 119th Prime Minister of France (d. 1951)

April 24 →
1940
Event

World War II: Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain becomes Premier of Vichy France.

June 16 →
1940
Event

World War II: Vichy France regime is formally established. Henri Philippe Pétain becomes Prime Minister of France.

July 11 →
1940
Event

World War II: Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain becomes Chief of State of Vichy France (Chef de l'État Français).

June 16 →
1945
Event

The post war legal processes against Philippe Pétain begin.

July 23 →
1951
Death

French general and politician, 119th Prime Minister of France (b. 1856)

July 23 →

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