French Army order of battle (1914)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
French Army order of battle on 2 August 1914

This is the order of battle for the French Army on the outbreak of war in August 1914.

Background[]

In 1914, the French War strategy was based on the offensive Plan XVII, which aimed to attack in Alsace-Lorraine . Therefore, the right wing of the French Army was stronger than the left wing.

Order of battle[]

1) First Army, commanded by Auguste Dubail

2) Second Army, commanded by Édouard de Castelnau

3) Third Army, commanded by Pierre Ruffey

  • Concentration zone : between Saint-Mihiel and Verdun
  • Mission : Hold the Germans in their defensive positions before Metz
  • Strength : 3 Corps. 237,257 men

4) Fourth Army, commanded by Fernand de Langle de Cary

5) Fifth Army, commanded by Charles Lanrezac

  • Concentration zone : between Hirson and Dun-sur-Meuse
  • Mission : Guard the Southern part of the border with Belgium
  • Strength : 5 Corps. 299,350 men

6) Cavalry Corps, commanded by André Sordet

  • Concentration zone : around Mézières
  • Mission : Advance into the Belgian Ardennes in case of a German attack on Belgium.
  • Strength : 15,750 men


Retrieved from ""