Quick Facts
French marshal who became Supreme Commander of Allied forces in WWI, architect of the final victory over Germany, whose aggressive doctrine of attack defined a generation of warfare.
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Life Journey
Born Ferdinand Jean Marie Foch on October 2, 1851, in Tarbes in the Pyrenees. His family was devoutly Catholic; his brother became a Jesuit. Faith would shape his entire life and military philosophy.
Served as an infantry private in the Franco-Prussian War. The humiliating defeat by Prussia marked him forever. He vowed to dedicate his life to preparing France for revenge.
Entered the prestigious École Polytechnique after the war. His mathematical mind would later transform military theory. He graduated into the artillery, the scientific branch of the army.
Attended the École Supérieure de Guerre (War College). Here he began developing his theories of warfare that would influence a generation of officers.
Appointed professor at the War College. His lectures on the principles of war became legendary. He preached the doctrine of the offensive, the supremacy of morale over material.
Became commandant of the War College. His influence on French military doctrine was now immense. He trained the officers who would lead France in 1914.
Left the War College for field command. His career seemed to be winding down - but the Great War would call him back to the center of history.
Commanded the French Ninth Army at the First Battle of the Marne. His famous message: 'My center is giving way, my right is retreating, situation excellent, I am attacking.' The German advance was stopped.
Coordinated French, British, and Belgian forces during the 'Race to the Sea.' His ability to work with allies was noted. The front stabilized into four years of trench warfare.
Commanded the French forces at the Somme. The offensive failed to break through but showed Foch's growing skill in combined operations. The cost was horrific: millions of casualties.
Removed from field command after the failures of 1916. It seemed his career was over. But the crisis of 1918 would bring him back to supreme command.
In March 1918, as the German spring offensive threatened to split the Allied armies, Foch was appointed Supreme Commander of all Allied forces. Unity of command at last.
In July 1918, Foch launched the counteroffensive at the Second Marne. It was the turning point. The Allies never stopped attacking until the Armistice.
Coordinated the final Allied offensives of 1918, the Hundred Days. German resistance crumbled. By November, they requested an armistice.
On November 11, 1918, the Armistice was signed in Foch's railway carriage at Compiègne. The war was over. Foch was made Marshal of France, Britain, and Poland.
Advised on the Treaty of Versailles. He argued for harsher terms against Germany, warning: 'This is not a peace. It is an armistice for twenty years.' He was almost exactly right.
Marshal Ferdinand Foch died on March 20, 1929. He was buried at Les Invalides beside Napoleon. His prediction about the twenty-year armistice would prove prophetic.