Joseph Alfred Micheler

Joseph Alfred Micheler (23 September 1861 Phalsbourg - 17 March 1931 Nice) was a French Major General. He was involved in the Battle of the Somme.

Life
He entered St. Cyr in October 1880, and was appointed a sub-lieutenant on the completion of his course in 1882. He was promoted lieutenant in 1886, captain in 1891, major in 1901 and lieutenant-colonel in 1909. Three years later he was made a colonel.

At the outbreak of World War I he was employed as chief-of-staff to the VI. Corps. In October 1914, he was promoted general of brigade, and in January 1915 was transferred as chief-of-staff to the I. Army. On August 3, 1915, he took over command of the 53rd Inf. Division, being later (March 25, 1916) promoted a temporary general of division and appointed to the XXXVIII. Army Corps. Ten days later he was placed at the head of the X. Army. On June 22, 1916, he was confirmed in his rank as general of division. He commanded the X. Army during the battle of the Somme, and was then called to the head of a new group of armies formed behind the centre for the exploitation of the victory counted upon in General Nivelle's Aisne scheme.

He was thus involved very deeply in the controversies which centred upon that scheme both before and after April 16, 1917. It was principally his criticisms that initiated the internal crisis, and led to the council of war, in which, however, he seems not to have followed up his objections. His relations were strained with his subordinate Mangin as well as with Nivelle, and the latter sought afterwards to saddle him with part of the responsibility for the relative failure of the offensive. His group of armies being broken up he returned to the duties of an army commander. In May 1918, he vacated the command of the V. Army which he had held for a year. He was made a commander of the Legion of Honour on September 30, 1916.

He was buried at Saint Roch Cemetery.