France
Joseph Gallieni
1849–1916 Military governor of Paris, 1914
Gallieni was the greatest colonial soldier of the French army, a pacifier of Tonkin and Madagascar who built roads and markets behind his advancing troops. He retired in 1914, at the age of 65, but was recalled in August and given command of the defense of Paris. When the first reports of Kluck's turn arrived on 3 September, he saw at once that the German flank was exposed and pressed Joffre to strike from Paris. He organized the movement of reinforcements, including the famous taxis. He served as minister of war in 1915 and 1916, and died in May 1916; he was made a marshal of France after his death.