Who was France’s worst general in the start of WW2? At the start of World War II, many historians consider General Maurice Gamelin to be among France’s most criticized military leaders. He served as the Commander-in-Chief of the French armed forces and was responsible for the overall strategic planning and execution of the French military response during the early stages of the war.

Gamelin’s leadership has been widely criticized for several reasons:

Outdated Strategies:

Gamelin and his staff adhered to outdated defensive strategies, particularly the reliance on the Maginot Line, a series of fortifications along France’s border with Germany. The Germans bypassed this line by invading through Belgium, a tactic similar to their strategy in World War I.

Lack of Flexibility:

Gamelin’s command was often seen as inflexible and slow to adapt to the rapidly changing situation on the battlefield. He was unable to effectively respond to the German Blitzkrieg tactics, which involved fast-moving armored and air forces.

Communication Issues:

There were significant issues with communication and coordination within the French military command structure, further hampering their ability to respond to the German advance.

The Fall of France:

Under Gamelin’s command, the French military suffered a rapid and devastating defeat during the German invasion in May 1940, leading to the fall of France in June 1940.

While it would be an oversimplification to place the blame solely on Gamelin, his leadership is often highlighted as a key factor in the French military’s failure to effectively resist the German invasion.