The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-03
HIS OBITUARY (By the United Press

In 1914 when the city of Paris was menaced by grey-lad invading arm, Joseph Jacques Cesare Joffre was called upon the second time to face German attack from the east.
 As an IS year old student at the Ecole Polytechnique in 1870, he had fought against the armies of Bis mark in the Franco Prussian war. The second conflict early in the World War found his command backed almost to the walls of Paris. Thirty miles outside the capital JCffre ended his retreat and started an offensive which halted the on- rushing foe and General Gallieni's troops, drove back Won Kluck's army.
 It was the first battle of the Marne.
 The decisive victory brought Joffre the title of marshal of France, bes- lowed for the first time since the Franco -Prussian war. And his world war leadership brought him another title which meant much to the little soldier whose white mustaches and cheery face made him familiar fig ure in Europe and America. To mil lions he was known as Papa" Joffre.
 Joffre was born at Rivesaltes (Pyrenees- -Orfientales) on January 12, 1852. Deciding on military career, he received an appointment to the Ecole Polytechnique, "the West Point of France" When the Franco German war broke out, he won a temporary appointment as a sub lieutenant in the artillery corps engaged in the defense of Paris.
 After the war, he returned to com- plete his course at the Polytechnique and marticulated as lieutenant in the engineers. Four years later he became a captain and for three years following was engaged in construc- ton of defense works for Paris.
 In 1879 he returned to regimental duty and six years later played a prominent part in an expedition to Formosa. For his services there he was made q chevalier of the Legion oe Honor on September z, 1885. A lcng tour of colonial service then claimed him before he returned to France.
 By nature and through experience, there was real leadership in the kindly little soldier, whose blouse always was too loose. whose trousers bagged and whose moustachios bris- tied fiercely on his reddish, always cheery face.
 He demonstrated that leadership In the retreat of the French army before the German advance in the early days of the world war. While for want of energetic command. the German offense was weak ering; the French retreat in Joffre's strong hands assumed an almost strong coherency.
 When it seemed that Paris was destined once again to hear the tramp of German boots through it's streets. General Galliene began the stroke of the ource, and Papa" Joffre, as he was affection ately called by his troops, issued a for his soldiers to turn about and fight.
 By September 10, 1914, four days after the embattled French army, aided by the English under General Wilson, started to fight back, the German army was driven back across the Marne.
 Earlier disasters of the war were in gratitude for the Marne victory. and Joffre became com -chief of all the French forces.
 Then in 1915. the marshal settled down to two different kinds of war in the trenches and the other against criticism.
 Of the two, Papa Joffre preferred the trenches. He resented criticisms oe his Verdun offensive; of his trench warfare. a method for which critics said France was not prepared.
 Then, when the German army hurled itself against the Verdun line, found it weak and nearly swept 1t 6 way. Papa Joffre was compelled to give way to the late Marshal Foch in November 1916.
 But to make his retirement the more palatable, he was appointed technical adviser to the govern ment", a more or less euphonious title.
 When the United States entered the war. Joffre headed a French mill itary mission to tell the Americans how much France needed help. On his tour of the country, his twinkl- ign eyes. his walrus-like mustaches and his sprightly demeanor made rnany admirers.
 Joffre was chosen to be one of the French academy's 40 immortals in 1918. and he was given the Metallic Militaire, which exceeded in honor the grand cross of the Legion of honor, bestowed upon him in 1914.
 After the war, Joffre was never in good health. He was taken III in June 1925 with throat soreness trou. ble and there was some apprehen- sion for his life after fever set In. But he got over the attack in a few days.
 During the last few years of hIs