He received command of the 14th Infantry division and fought in the Battle of Mulhouse in mid-August 1914. His division was transferred to the Somme where he participated in the Battle of Proyart-Vauvillers, First Battle of the Marne and the First Battle of the Aisne. For his excellent performance, he was promoted to command the VII Army Corps. On 13 March 1915, together with General Michel-Joseph Maunoury, he was seriously injured by a German sniper, but less than a month later, he retook command of his Army Corps, with which he fought in the Second Battle of Champagne.