The French have been on a break since Wellington sent them home in 1814.The French have certainly had terrible generals since then. I was watching a documentary about World War I last night - the sheer number of times I winced due to statements by French generals was so great I lost count. Marshal Joffre, for example, thought soldiers and bayonets, combined with rapid troop movements, was a sufficient answer to German artillery - and remember, they had the "Big Berthas".
No. It's no wonder France bled to death during that war.
Regards, Ivan
For nearly 100 years France institutionally enshrined stupidity in their officer corps. Although I hear that a few things have changed with the French. There is however no evidence. Nor will there be. Although the French built a fancy carrier (that doesn't appear to work very well) its a show piece not particularly useful for warfare. France doesn't really have a forward logistical capability. Therefore the carrier for instance becomes ineffective more than a few hundred miles from a friendly port with sophisticated facilities.
In short France doesn't matter.