North of the Somme, the Germans took Albert—an important junction—but were checked further north, by the left wing of Byng's Army.
The Mont Renaud.
Allied Unity of Command.
Events had forcibly demonstrated the urgent necessity for Allied unity of command. On March 26, a War Council, composed of M.M. Poincaré, Clemenceau, Lord Milner, Haig, Pétain and Foch, empowered the latter to coordinate the action of the Allied Armies on the Western Front.
"At the moment when Foch was to take precedence of Pétain and Haig, what was the position of the armies, as regards the directives of the High Command? In other words, how was the Anglo-French battle being directed? The position is defined in the General Orders of Pétain and Haig, the former of whom prescribed:
"To keep the French forces grouped, to protect the Capital; essential mission;
"To ensure the liaison with the British; secondary mission;