TEN MILITARY COMMANDMENTS OF MARSHAL FOCH

Evening Star, Issue 16991, 13 March 1919, Page 8

TEN MILITARY COMMANDMENTS OF MARSHAL FOCH

Marshal Foch seems to be a master of psychology as well as of strategy. While playing the war game on a gigantic scale, he does not neglect small details which help to promote colossal success. The needs of the rank and file are always in his mind, and he spurs them to bravery and endurance like the fighting patriarchs of old. At any rate, he was imbued with some of the spirit of Moses when he promulgated 10 commandments which have proved of incalculable worth on many hard-fought battlefields. ‘ Trench and Camp ’ quotes these inspiriting law's as follows : 1. Keep your eyes and ears ready and your mouth in the safety-notch, for it is your soldierly duty to see and hear clearly, but as a rule you should be heard mainly in the sentry challenges or the charging cheer. 2. Obey orders first, and, if still alive, kick afterward if you have been wronged. 3. Keep your arms and equipment clean and in good order; treat your animals fairly and kindly and your motor or other machine as though it belonged to you and was the only one in the world. Do not waste your ammunition, your gas, your food, your time, nor your opportunity. 4. Never try to lire an empty gun nor at an empty trench ; but when you shoot, shoot to kill, and forget not that at close quarters a bayonet beats a bullet. 5. Tell the truth squarely, face the music, and take your punishment like a man; for a good soldier won’t lie, he doesn’t sulk, and is no squealer. 6. Be merciful to the women of your foe and shame them not, for you are a man ; pity and shield the children in your captured territory, for you were once a hemless child. 7. Bear in mind that the enemy is your enemy and the enemy of, humanity until lie is killed or captured ; then he Is your dear brother or fellow-soldier beaten or ashamed, whom you should no further humiliate. 8. Do your best to keep your head clear and cool, your body clean and comfortable, and your feet in good condition, for you think with your head, fight with your lody, and march with your feet. 9. Be of good cheer and high courage ; shirk neither w'ork nor danger; suffer in silence, and cheer the comrades at your side with a smile. 10. Dread defeat, but not wounds ; fear dishonor, but not death, and die game, and whatever the task, remember the motto of the division; “It Shall Bo Done.”