The unhealthy atmosphere. [WWI]

[**The following is in regards to the French Army mutiness of 1917, which were suppressed, in large part, thanks to the responsiveness of, and new policies set by, French Marshal Pétain.**] >But, for all [Pétain](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Philippe_P%C3%A9tain_%28en_civil%2C_autour_de_1930%29.jpg) achieved as ‘*le Médécin de l’Armée*’ the French Army was not the same; never again would it be able to repeat the stubborn heroism it had shown at Verdun. As Sergeant Boassaon (who left Verdun to take part in the Nivelle Offensive) remarked: >>Pétain has purified the unhealthy atmosphere. But it will be difficult for him to wipe out the impression of defiance which now rests in the heart of the soldier towards those whom he should have considered his leaders, his guides, his protectors, his paternal friends… They have ruined the heart of the French soldier. ______________________________ **Source:** Horne, Alistair. “The New Leader.” *The Price of Glory: Verdun 1916*. New York: St. Martin's, 1963. 324. Print. ______________________________ **Further Reading:** [Henri Philippe Benoni Omer Joseph Pétain / Philippe Pétain / Maréchal Pétain (Marshal Pétain)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_P%C3%A9tain) [Bataille de Verdun / Schlacht um Verdun (Battle of Verdun)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Verdun) [1917 French Army Mutinees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1917_French_Army_mutinies)