FOCH'S LUNCH-HOUR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 181, 26 April 1919, Page 7

FOCH'S LUNCH-HOUR

Marshal Pocli accepted the chief command on two conditions. One was that he should take it over without a moment's delay; the other that nothing should interfere with" )iis hours'of meals and rest. And lie suited the action to tlm word by adiourning at a most critical moment for lunch. After lunch lie .went. straight to Sir Dousing Faig,and said •that his duty was to stay where ho was at all 'costs. Then he went to' General Deheney. who commanded the"amy.on the rM't of the British, and said to him: "What ynu have lo do is.'ln forget Paris—th>nk only (if. Awion?. " The danger is that the British may lie driven towards ; the Channel. Even if they are, keen in louch with tlieni,-..and never mind Hie consequences." . n The world at largo had never fu'lv grasped the amazing audacity of the idea, which stuhefied' the General; and when 'he told. the audience how small the Allied rcservo wa= at th« moment it wfl= thrilled with relrosnecl've alarm. Before, that'climax M. Bidou asked Hie : Harsh.il to whet lie' escribed the German failure, and the answer, not hitherto nuM'shed it i<- l;«lieved, was; "They allowed too much Mill" lo pars between each of tlmi' 1 offensives, and e»ch one was in a'different direction." T!i.u« their "ninss of manoeuvre" lost its freedom of 1 action.