Castelnau, Gen Noël Marie Joseph Edouard, Vicomte de Curières de (1851-1944). Born at Aveyron of a military, royalist, and Catholic family, Castelnau fought in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-1. Removed from the general staff in 1900 for anti-Dreyfusard views (see Dreyfus), Castelnau nonetheless recovered to become deputy to Joffre in 1911, and played an important part in formulating Plan XVII. In 1914 he commanded Second Army, whose advance into Lorraine was decisively checked at Morhange-Sarrebourg. However, he successfully defended Nancy at the battle of Le Grand Couronné, and was appointed to command Army Group Centre in 1915. In September he directed the great French offensive in Champagne, making some progress but failing to achieve a breakthrough. Reappointed as deputy to Joffre, he played a key role in shaping the defence of Verdun. Out of favour in 1917, in 1918 he again commanded an army group, directing operations in Lorraine. From 1918 to 1924 Castelnau served in the Chamber of Deputies.
Honourable, upright, and clear-sighted, Castelnau, a lay member of a religious order, was nicknamed ‘le capucin botté’ (the booted friar), and represented the militant Catholic element in the French army. His background and views told against him, for despite his considerable achievements and personal sacrifice (he lost three sons in the war) he was never named marshal of France.
— Richard Holmes
