On Foch Quotes

To think meant to give room for freedom of initiative, for the imponderable to win over the material, for will to demonstrate its power over circumstance. ~ Barbara W. Tuchman

My centre is giving way, my right is in retreat, situation excellent. I attack. ~ Ferdinand Foch

There is but one means to extenuate the effects of enemy fire: it is to develop a more violent fire oneself. ~ Ferdinand Foch

Einstein - the greatest Jew since Jesus. I have no doubt that Einstein's name will still be remembered and revered when Lloyd George, Foch and William Hohenzollern share with Charlie Chaplin that ineluctable oblivion which awaits the uncreative mind. ~ John B. S. Haldane

Development," mind you - not just "advancement." For Foch is, and ever has been, the kind of man who would most abhor being advanced faster than he developed. He would infinitely rather be prepared for a promotion and fail to get it than get a promotion for which he was not thoroughly prepared. Nor is he the sort of individual who can comfortably deceive himself about his fitness. He sustains himself by no illusions of the variety: "If I had so-and-so to do, I'd probably get through as well as nine-tenths ~ Clara E. Laughlin

My center is giving way, my right is in retreat; situation excellent. I shall attack. ~ Ferdinand Foch

To inform, and, therefore to reconnoitre , this is the first and constant duty of the advanced guard. ~ Ferdinand Foch

The distribution of troops devoted to the defence of a place includes a garrison, an occupying force, numerically as weak as possible; a reserve as strong as possible, designed for counterattacking and for providing itself, at the moment it goes into action, with a security service which will guard it from any possible surprise. ~ Ferdinand Foch

The unknown is the governing principle of war. ~ Ferdinand Foch

Before them stood a small, erect man who fixed them with a withering gaze, Marshal Ferdinand Foch. After cool introductions, Foch opened the proceedings with a question that left the Germans agape. "Ask these gentlemen what they want," he said to his interpreter. When the Germans had recovered, Erzberger answered that they understood they had been sent to discuss armistice terms. Foch stunned them again: "Tell these gentlemen that I have no proposals to make. ~ Joseph E. Persico

Airplanes are interesting toys, but of no military value. ~ Ferdinand Foch

In whatever position you find yourself determine first your objective. ~ Ferdinand Foch

When Marshal Foch heard of the signing of the Peace Treaty of Versailles he observed with singular accuracy: This is not Peace. It is an Armistice for twenty years. ~ Winston S. Churchill

None but a coward dares to boast that he has never known fear. ~ Ferdinand Foch

Don't drown yourself in details. Look at the whole. ~ Ferdinand Foch

Regulations are all very well for drill, but in the hour of danger they are no more use. You have to learn to think. ~ Ferdinand Foch

Aviation is fine as a sport. But as an instrument of war, it is worthless. ~ Ferdinand Foch

I am conscious of having served England as I served my own country. ~ Ferdinand Foch

The power to command has never meant the power to remain mysterious. ~ Ferdinand Foch

Every manoeuvre must be the development of a scheme; it must aim at a goal. ~ Ferdinand Foch

The laurels of victory are at the point of the enemy bayonets. They must be plucked there ; they must be carried by a hand-to-hand fight if one really means to conquer. ~ Ferdinand Foch

A battle won is a battle which we will not acknowledge to be lost. ~ Ferdinand Foch