Where he's stopping and chatting with the troops?
Am I right in feeling there's supposed to be something very comical and cynical about that entire scene?
Was that intentional from the director?
I'd say it's certainly intentional and indicative of the black humour which would follow in Dr Strangelove and Full Metal Jacket and certainly some of the stuff which would follow later in the film - "why not shoot the entire regiment?", "prick his cheek a couple of times, the general wants him to be concious", "the men died wonderfully".
shareThe whole movie is a black comedy, so yes it is comedic.
shareSpoilers about two movies!
Another funny scene is at the beginning when General Broulard praises General Mireau's chateau, something like "Paul, you have excellent taste in carpets." Mireau replies with some humble-bragging, "I didn't have to do much, it was almost finished when I moved in." It sounds like he's talking about his new condo.
Kubrick had more overbearing generals in Dr. Stangelove: Jack Ripper and Buck Turgidson, who I suspect would have found a place in the French high command if necessary.
However, while Strangelove is very much a comedy - despite the nuclear war at the end - Paths of Glory is a drama (note the execution scene) with elements of the absurd.