Ferdinand Foch

Ferdinand Foch (October 2, 1851 - March 20, 1929) was born in Tarbes, France. He was originally a French field marshal but rose to be a Generalissimo of the allied armies during World War I.

He published "Des Principes de la Guerre" ("The Principles of War") in 1903, and "De la Conduite de la Guerre" ("On the Conduct of War") in 1904, and commanded the XX Corps at Nancy in August 1914.

Foch prevented the advance of the German forces during the great offensive of Spring 1918 at the Second Battle of Marne in July 1918, mounting the counter-attack that was the beginning of the German defeat. In July 1918 Foch was made Marshal of France, and he later accepted the German surrender in November.

Field marshal of Poland and United Kingdom.

See also World War I.