Joseph-Jacques Joffre (1852-1931) French commander in chief on the Western Front in World War I. Like other members of the French general staff, Joffre underestimated German strength at the outbreak of World War I, but his operations helped achieve an orderly French retreat. He deserves partial credit for the victory of the Marne (1914) in which he took advantage of an opportunity to counterattack. After the Germans nearly captured Verdun (1916) Joffre was made chief military adviser to the government, a powerless post from which he soon resigned. # 5" x 8" sepia photograph mounted to 9" x 12", signed on the mount under the image "To Hon. Robert Lansing, Secretary of State, Souvenir reconnentsant des Marschal, J. Joffre, 3 mai 1917." Robert Lansing (1864-1928) served as United States Secretary of State from 1915-1920 in President Woodrow Wilson's administration.