Foch, Ferdinand (1851–1929)

Marshal of France during World War I. He was largely responsible for the Allied victory at the first battle of the Marne in September 1914, and commanded on the northwestern front October 1914–September 1916. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Allied armies in the spring of 1918, and launched the Allied counter-offensive in July that brought about the negotiation of an armistice to end the war.

Following his success at the Marne, he was made assistant commander of the French Forces of the North, taking full command January 1915. He commanded the French right wing during the battle of the Somme 1916 and later that year was side-lined into various administrative and consultative posts. His retirement was more due to political infighting than his age and he was recalled by Pétain to serve as Chief of the General Staff 1917 to coordinate Allied support for Italy following the defeat at Caporetto. He went on to coordinate Anglo-French forces in France, and became the Allied commander-in-chief April 1918. He was elected Marshal of France 6 August.