On 21 March 1918 Ludendorff unleashed the most formidable offensive of the whole war from the Hindenburg Line, along a 70-kilometre front. His aim was two-fold : to separate the British and French armies, and to capture Amiens. The German push opened a large breach round Saint-Quentin with the rout of the British 5th Army which, if it had persisted, could have precipitated an irreversible military catastrophe. On 26 March, Presidents Poincaré and Clémenceau, Generals Pétain and Foch, Lord Milner and General Haig met in Doullens Town Hall, and decided to create a unified command. Clémenceau wrote : "The British, French and American governments have conferred on General Foch the strategic control of military operations". On 18 July Foch launched his final counter-offensive which led to the Armistice of 11 November.

The hall of the "Sole Command" in Doullens town hall presents an evocation of this key moment with a stained-glass window by Gérard Ansart, two paintings by Lucien Jonas, busts and photographs.

Practical info

The hall of the Sole Command can be found on the first floor of the Town Hall.

Opening times
Free access & entrance for individuals from Monday to Saturday morning from 8am to 12am and from 2pm to 5.30pm.

Hall of the Sole Command
Hôtel de Ville
2, avenue du Maréchal Foch
80600 Doullens

Information :
Doullennais Tourist Office
30, rue du Bourg
80600 Doullens
Tel / Fax : +33 (0)3 22 32 54 52
E-mail : office-de-tourisme-doullens@wanadoo.fr
Website : www.otsidoullens.fr.st