Born in Phalsbourg, Moselle from a Lorrainian family which preferred to be French than German when the city was annexed by the Kaiser in 1871.

[1] At the outbreak of World War I he served as chief-of-staff to VI Corps.

In October 1914, he was promoted brigadier, and in January 1915 was transferred as chief-of-staff to the First Army.

– Army Group "Reserve" or "Rupture") formed behind the centre for the exploitation of the victory counted upon in General Nivelle's Aisne scheme.

It was principally his criticisms that initiated the internal crisis, and led to the council of war, in which, however, he seems not to have followed up his objections.