Pétain, Henri Philippe

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Pétain, Henri Philippe (1856–1951) French general and politician. In World War I, his defence of Verdun (1916) made him a national hero. He was appointed commander-in-chief in 1917, and held high positions between the World Wars. With the defeat of France in 1940, he was recalled as prime minister. He signed the surrender and became head of the collaborationist Vichy regime. He was charged with treason after the liberation of France in 1945 and died in prison.

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