The 2nd Army was a division of France's army during World War I. During 1916, the 2nd Army was engaged in the Battle of Verdun. It had been commanded by General Henri Philippe Pétain, who had allowed for very little German advances in the area of Verdun. The field headquarters of the 2nd Army was in a chateau in Souilly. From there, the generals issued orders, sent by phone and motorcycle courier to the different sectors north and east of Verdun.