French Army order of battle (1914)
# French Army order of battle (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

* Concentration zone : between Remiremont and Charmes
* Mission : attack towards Mulhouse and Sarrebourg
* Strength : 5 Corps. 266,452 men

2) Second Army, commanded by Édouard de Castelnau

* Concentration zone : between Pont-Saint-Vincent and Neufchâteau, Vosges
* Mission : attack towards Morhange
* Strength : 5 Corps. 323,445 men

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

* Concentration zone : between Saint-Dizier and Bar-le-Duc
* Mission : In reserve in the Argonne Region
* Strength : 3 Corps. 159,588 men

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
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