2-377-929 - Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images

Marshal Foch, French general, saluting the British Unknown Soldier, c1918c1920(?). Ferdinand Foch (1851-1929) was chosen as supreme commander of the Allied armies on 26 March, 1918, five days after the start of the German Spring Offensive, which threatened to end the First World War in Germany's favour. In July 1918 Foch stopped the German advance at the Second Battle of the Marne, finally turning the tide of the war decisively in the Allies' favour, for which he was made a Marshal of France. The British Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was unveiled on Armistice Day, 1920.