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Where to begin? WWI: The French went into World War I wearing blue coats and red pants, secure in the knowledge that the spirit of Attack (read bayonet charge) would carry the day. The Germans preferred machine guns. Advantage German. The French plan for 1914 consisted of an offensive into Alsace- Lorraine and the Ardennes. This matched nicely with the Schlieffen Plan,in which the Germans assumed the French would do what they did (Plan 17). The French, apparently did not reciprocate by factoring German moves into their plan. Result, a revolvinjg door from the Dutch node to the Swiss border, with the French swinging (generally) northeast, the Germans southwest, then south east then east. Result, the Germans almost drive to Paris, but becuse of Moltke the Younger's interference, have to shorten their line and pass east of the city. A gap opines between Von Kluck and his neighbor, and Ge. Gallieni (good French name)hits the gap, forcing the Germans back. The French offensive? Stopped in its tracks.

Verdun was a DESIGNED battle of attrition-by Falkenhayn, then Chief of the Imperial General Staff. The french fought well, and outlasted the Germans, but the Germans called the tune on that one.And in reciting other French victories, let's not forget the idiocy of the Somme, and the French Army mutinies that followed.

WWII. One of the great canards of the Second World War is that the Germans took France in 1940 because they had more tanks. Not true. In point of fact, the Allies had more tanks than the Germans, and some, the Souma for exemplar, were tank for tank better. What the French DIDN'T have was a modern armor doctrine to go with the tanks. Yes they only had four armored divisions. But most of their armor was parceled out in infantry support. The equipment advantages the Germans did have were in aircraft and anti-tank guns. Plus their combat doctrine was light years ahead of the French; and, as in World War I, the German battle plan anticipated what the Allies would do (move into Belgium, and used it to their advantage (Ardennes).

Were there notable French successes in WW II? Yes, Bir Hacheim, and Cassino come to mind. Post World War II? Some success in Viet Nam early on, but that's about it.France hit the height of it's military glory in 1805 - 1806. They are, after all, a country whose greatest warrior was a woman, and whose greatest general was really Italian.