Ferdinand FOCH. 1851-1929. General, Marshal of France. - Lot 52

Ferdinand FOCH. 1851-1929. General, Marshal of France. L.A.S. to Colonel Pétain. Nancy, May 17, 1914. 2 pp. on bristol in-12 oblong, corner letterhead of the general commanding the 20th Army Corps in Nancy. Envelope enclosed. Letter from Foch to Pétain, then colonel commanding the St-Omer brigade, about his promotion, two and a half months before the declaration of war. "My dear friend, I took your application to Gal Joffre first. He told me that since your C d'A was on maneuvers this year, you couldn't leave it right away; on the other hand, the vacancy at Nancy could be a while coming. I concluded that all you had to do was let the days go by. I will resume negotiations if, in accordance with my forecasts, the 22nd brigade is to be given on February 25 (...)". Pétain was promoted to brigadier general on August 31, 1914, and divisional general in September. Former Charavay collection