Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-30
Sketch of Leader
Continued from Page ons)


detail. Knowing the mentality OF the
Germans he counted upon their repeat
ing In future conflicts the maneuvers
mat had succeeded. He also expected
them to make some of the old mistakes.
In his teachings at the superior war
| school and in his writing he held always
TO the idea OF an inevitable aggression
by Germany. sprung with lightning like
rapidly, after long generalization and
most minute .prepa ration-the swift
thunderbolt OF the opening to develop
into struggle Of colossal proportions
To parry the blow. Foch said repeat
edly France must have staff working
In the same direction, practicinx the
same doctrines under an audacious
chief, Sinking no responsibility. pre-
serving the equilibrium Of his mind and
the force of his intelligence under for
midabie dlinculties and exercising with
out hesitation the most redoubtable
rights over his subordinates. The stars
of general were given Foch in 1907
and the command OF the superior war
school. where he left his mark as nro-
I lessor. Preferring more active com.
mand he resigned in 1912 and command
ed successfully the Soth and 10th army
corps and proved that he was one OF
the few military writer's or professors
who also was an efficient handler of men
In the field.
The war found Foch at Nancy, the
headquarters of the goth Corps. His
corps was attached to Gen. Castel-
nau's army and he was selected to
command new army concentrating
behind the center of the forces
marching to the belgian frontier to
meet the Germans.
! This army was not ready in time
to take part in the battle Of Charlie
roy but it contributed singularly to
the victory of the Marine. Foch's 1sO,-
900 men. holding the center in that
struggle, had before them nearly
100000. including the Prussian
Guard, and at times the pressure was
so great that it seemed the thin line
must break
They are SO frantic in their at
facks." said Foch, lit must be that
things are going badly with them
elsewhere. so let's hold on
At another stage of the struggle,
aids came up with the dlsouietine
news that both the right and left
wings had been obliged to give
ground.
I'm that case" said F'och. there's
nothing to do but smash them in the
center. Order up the Moors."
General Dubois with the Moors on
his left smashed the Germans so hard
in the center that the Prussian Guard
was thrown back.
After the battle of the Marne, Foch
was given command of group of
armies operating in the north of
France, and promoted to grand officer
in the Legion of Honor. King George
conferred upon him the Order of the
Bath first class.
Tail. thin. elegant. with a fine head
and features; Gen. Foch is simple of
bearing and authoritative. From his
/ gray eyes shine the intelligence and
will power Of real chief. In CONVEX
sation he shows his military training
by directing the course Of his talk
like a maneuver.
When. in May Of last year. Gen.
Joffre was succeeded in the command
Of the French armies opera ting on
the French front. by Gen. Henri Phil
| ippe Petain. and Cen. Nivelle was
| placed in command OF group Of ar
mics, Gen. Foch succeeded Petain os
chief Of the general staff of the min
.stry OF war. post he has held up
to the present, all the while working
diligently upon the strategic moves
in which the French have been 50
sUcc essful. sd.
For some time it has been limited
that Gen. Foch might be appointed
head OF all the allied forces. owing to
his own ability as a tactician and his
skill as 2 leader OF men. All along he
has been impressed with the idea that
a German victory was impossible and
frequently has expressed the opinion
that the enemy forces would never be
able to pierce the allied line.