11 - At the Supreme War Council, November 1917–March 1918

Summary

Leaving Italy on 23 November, Foch returned to a changed political climate in France. The organisation set up in Rapallo had now been installed in Versailles, and its second session was due to follow the forthcoming Allied conference in Paris. Also, on the 16th Georges Clemenceau had become Premier, replacing Painlevé, thereby realising Foch’s long-held desire to see Clemenceau wield political power. Before leaving, he sent the new Premier a telegram of congratulations, to which the latter responded on a very upbeat note. Clemenceau acknowledged that the Italian stand on the Piave was the result of Foch’s encouragements, and he approved all that Foch was doing. He wanted Foch to wait a few days until General Fayolle arrived to take over command of the French contingent.

Clemenceau’s new role meant a considerable increase in Foch’s own chances of gaining greater influence, even of obtaining supreme command. Clemenceau had told Tardieu to tell the Americans that Foch was the man for the job; and he told the head of his military cabinet, General Mordacq, not to trouble about improving the organisation of the general staff in the War Ministry because he (Clemenceau) was determined, whatever the cost, to obtain unity of command with Foch as commander-in-chief.