French Army order of battle (1914)
This is the order of battle for the French Army on the outbreak of war in August 1914.
French Army order of battle on 2 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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