Who had the biggest fall from grace in history? Philippe Pétain emerged from the First World War as one of France’s most celebrated military heroes. His leadership during the grueling nine‑month Battle of Verdun, where he stabilized collapsing lines, rotated exhausted troops, and became a symbol of endurance, made him the embodiment of French resilience at a moment when the war felt endless. For many, “the Lion of Verdun” represented hope itself. But the arc of his life took a dramatic and devas