Plans for French mobilization from 1875 to 1914

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The plans for the French mobilization from 1875 to 1914 were drawn up by the French General Staff in the period between the end of the Franco-Prussian War and the beginning of the First World War .

It was a constant modification of the first mobilization plan , taking into account the massive reinforcements that were available after the reservists were called up, as well as rail transport to the deployment areas under the protection of and shielding against enemy reconnaissance by their own border units. All of these plans provided for a concentration of combat troops along the Franco-German border. The best known of these plans was " Plan XVII ", which was implemented in August 1914 as part of the general mobilization .

The plans from 1875 to 1914
designation Plan I. Plan II Plan III Plan VI Plan VII Plan VIII Plan IX Plan X
Come into effect 1875 1877 1878 May 5, 1883 March 1884 March 15, 1887 April 15, 1888 May 10, 1889
designation Plan XI Plan XII Plan XIII Plan XIV Plan XV Plan XV to Plan XVI Plan XVII
Come into effect April 1891 February 15, 1893 February 15, 1895 April 1898 March 1903 May 22, 1907 May 1909 April 15, 1914

Reforms from 1870

The Treaty of Frankfurt from 1871 was valid until 1919. Alsace and parts of Lorraine came to the German Empire as the realm of Alsace-Lorraine .

During the Second Empire , the French armed forces were first massively transported by rail - for example in the Sardinian War in 1859 and in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. After the defeat of 1870, the French military found itself in an inferior situation compared to Germany. With the cession of Alsace-Lorraine it had lost part of its human resources and its fortified places. Metz and Strasbourg were now German, and parts of the country were under military occupation until September 1873, when the last Germans withdrew from Verdun . So it took time to build an army similar to the Germans. For this purpose, the conscription system was abandoned with a law (loi Cissey ) in 1872 . This was followed by the establishment of the Régions militaires (a kind of military area), each of which was responsible for an army corps during peacetime . In 1874 a regulation came into force concerning the strategic troop transport and the financing of new fortifications ( Program Séré de Rivières ). Furthermore, in the same year an increase in the infantry regiments to 152 was announced. The regulations were completed by the law of March 13, 1875, which stipulated the strength of the cadre and the present personnel of the active army and the territorial army.

The first forward-looking studies on the organization of a deployment of French troops against Germany appeared in 1872 and were implemented in 1875 with “Plan I”.

From now on, each city received at least one unit of troops assigned as a garrison. In 1913 there were 221 cities with at least one barracks.

1875 to 1886, first defensive plans

  • Plan I.

of 1875 was based on the assumption that Germany (like France) would respect the neutrality of Belgium , Luxembourg and Switzerland . It was planned to set up four armies on the line Vesoul , Langres , Bar-sur-Aube and Reims and thus cover the frontier. The first plan was to concentrate three armies on the front at Épinal , Neufchâteau and Donjeux (Haute-Marne) in the event of a German invasion, thus pushing into the flank of the Germans attacking from Lorraine. A hypothetical fifth army, consisting of the 14th and 15th army corps in the Alps, plus a 19th corps from North Africa, were to be brought together at Nuits-sous-Ravières and Châtillon-sur-Seine .

  • Plan II

of 1877 took somewhat more account of the German reinforcements in Alsace-Lorraine and concentrated the 1st and 2nd Armies at Dole and the Ource .

  • Plan III

of 1878 was based on the new fortifications of the Séré de Rivières system and the expansion of the rail network (Plan Freycinet), which allowed four armies (four corps each) to be in the line Épinal, Neufchâteau, Bar-le- Duc and Sainte-Menehould to push and place a fifth between Langres and Chaumont . Two small reserve armies (with a total of two active and six territorial infantry divisions) were later to be formed in the area of Vernon and Bourges . These troops, as well as the 6th and 7th Corps, had to be covered by the cavalry. “Plan III” was modified in June 1882 after Italy joined the Triple Alliance. Two corps were deployed to the Alps and a division was assigned to protect against Nancy .

  • Plan IV and Plan V

They have hardly changed compared to the plan of 1878, but a crossing of Belgian territory has now been taken into account (without permission from the Belgians). A French army was planned between Reims and Châlons .

Plan II from 1882
1 re armée 2 e armée 3 e armée 4 e armée 5 e armée 1 re armée de reserve 2 e armée de reserve Armée des Alpes
Staging area Épinal area from Neufchâteau to Gondrecourt from Ligny to Revigny from Nettancourt to Mourmelon from Chaumont to Langres Vernon area from Bourges to Nevers valleys leading to Italy
composition 7 e , 8 e , 16 e and 17 e Corps d'armée 5 e , 9 e , 12 e and 13 e Corps d'armée 4 e , 6 e , 10 e and 11 e Corps d'armée 1 er , 2 e , 3 e and 18 e Corps d'armée 14 e , 15 e and 19 e Corps d'armée 4 divisions 4 divisions 14 e and 15 e Corps d'armée
  • Plan VI

of 1883 referred to the deployment of four armies (each with four corps) within 13 days. They were to be used to protect the fortified places Belfort , Épinal , Toul and Verdun . There was also a reserve army at Langres . What was new in the first few days was the planned deployment of five cavalry divisions, supported by three infantry divisions and three infantry brigades to protect Montmédy , the heights of the Meuse , Nancy, Lunéville , the southern Vosges, Belfort and Montbéliard .

Plan VI from 1883
1 re armée 2 e armée 3 e armée 4 e armée 5 e armée
Staging area Charmes area Colombey area Area Bar-le-Duc Area Sainte-Menehould from Jussey to Langres
composition 7 e , 8 e , 16 e and 17 e Corps d'armée 5 e , 9 e , 12 e and 13 e Corps d'armée 4 e , 6 e , 11 e and 18 e Corps d'armée 1 er , 2 e , 3 e and 10 e Corps d'armée 14 e , 15 e and 19 e Corps d'armée
  • Plan VII

von 1884 reinforced the defensive shield with 10 cavalry divisions (five would be re-established in the event of mobilization). This would be formed by four armies of the first line, which would deploy from the 13th day after mobilization and would be complete on the 15th day. They would be supported by three reserve armies in the second line behind the right wing of the 5th Army, behind the center of the 6th Army and behind the wing of the 7th Army. The reserve armies would consist of reservists and territorial forces and would be operational on day 19.

Plan VII from 1884
1 re armée 2 e armée 3 e armée 4 e armée 5 e armée 6 e armée 7 e armée Armée des Alpes
Staging area from Charmes to Épinal from Mirecourt to Colombey from Commercy to Bar-le-Duc in the Argonne Luxeuil area in the northeast of Chaumont in the east of Châlons valleys leading to Italy
composition 7 e , 8 e , 16 e and 17 e Corps d'armée 5 e , 9 e , 12 e and 13 e Corps d'armée 4 e , 6 e , 11 e and 18 e Corps d'armée 1 er , 2 e , 3 e and 10 e Corps d'armée 5 e , 8 e , 13 e and 17 e Division de reserve 4 e , 9 e , 11 e and 12 e Division de reserve 1 re , 2 e 3 e and 10 e Division de reserve 14 e and 15 e Corps d'armée

1887 to 1897, plans with a more offensive spirit

Presentation of the standard to the recruits of the 6 e régiment de cuirassiers at the École militaire (Louis Auguste Loustaunau, 1887): the years after 1880 were marked by militarism and patriotism

The construction of two new railway lines enabled the French to deploy more quickly, in the hope that the deterioration in German- Russian relations after the conclusion of the two-tier agreement with Austria-Hungary and the Berlin Congress would result in German focus (and military priorities) to the East, so as to have a slight numerical advantage themselves. In these circumstances the French General Staff considered an attack on Alsace-Lorraine by overcoming the fortress of Metz .

  • Plan VIII

von 1887 reinforced the four armies of the first line, which should be ready for action on the 11th day, but without having reached full strength. For this purpose, three reserve armies were planned in the second line after 15 days. However, the first front has now been moved further east, in the Charmes, Pont-Saint-Vincent , Saint-Mihiel and Verdun line. Should Italy remain neutral, the 14th and 15th Corps would assemble behind Belfort to attack Alsace. The small siege parks of the artillery were each equipped with 16 cannons (Canon court de 155 mm modèle 1882) and eight mortars of the model Mortier de 220 mm modèle 1880 . With the invention of explosive shells, the masonry fortifications suddenly lost most of their protective effect, whereupon the troops of the defensive barriers were hastily reinforced and four cavalry divisions were to be concentrated at Verdun and Stenay . A more defensive variant was to station forces on the eastern edge of the Haute-Saône and the Haute-Marne .

Plan VIII from 1887
1 re armée 2 e armée 3 e armée 4 e armée 5 e armée 6 e armée 7 e armée Armée des Pyrénées Armée des Alpes
Staging areas from Épinal to Charmes from Charmes to Pont-Saint-Vincent from Toul to Saint-Mihiel from Verdun to Sainte-Menehould north of Luxeuil from Neufchâteau to Gondrecourt in the Châlons area in the Laon and La Fère area valleys leading to Italy
composition 7 e , 13 e , 16 e and 17 e Corps d'armée 5 e , 9 e , 12 e and 8 e Corps d'armée 4 e , 6 e , 11 e and 18 e Corps d'armée 1 er , 2 e , 3 e and 10 e Corps d'armée 5 e , 8 e , 13 e , 17 e Division de réserve, 14 e and 15 e Corps d'armée 4 e , 9 e , 11 e , 12 e Division de réserve and 19 e Corps d'armée 1 re , 2 e 3 e and 10 e Division de réserve 16 e , 17 e bis, 18 e Division de réserve 14 e and 15 e Corps d'armée
  • Plan IX

by 1888 placed four armies between Épinal and the Argonne, with a fifth army between Neufchâteau and Gondrecourt-le-Château. The cavalry in two groups of three divisions was posted in the area of Lunéville and north of Verdun. Now the army corps were divided into two and two for the transport lines by rail. The troops from the Alps (14th and 15th Corps) would then leave their mountaineering battalions ( Chasseurs alpins ) set up that year . These were to be transported to the area of ​​Lure and Vesoul , while the Pyrenean troops (three reserve divisions) were to be transported to Reims and Laon. Another, more defensive variant determined them in the line Vesoul, Langres , Saint-Dizier , Blesmes and Valmy.

  • Plan X

from 1889 (developed under the command of Général Félix Gustave Saussier ) took into account the reinforcement of the German reserves and, in the event of mobilization, provided for the establishment of the "Corps d'armée bis" in the 16 military regions, consisting mainly of territorial regiments and only a few artillery fitted. In addition, a newly established 20th corps made up of marine infantry and Algerian riflemen (Tirailleurs algériens) as well as a provisional reinforcement of the defense troops on the 3rd day by five infantry divisions. The forces were grouped into four armies and placed in the first line from Remiremont to Sainte-Menehould (16 active corps and three additional corps), three active corps, eight additional corps and the 20th corps occupied the second line from Luxeuil via Neufchâteau to Reims.

  • Plan XI

from 1891 was set up in the 16 additional army corps, taking into account the weak artillery equipment. These were therefore replaced by nine reserve corps (No. 21 to No. 29). The formation of seven armies was envisaged, four of them in the first line and three in the second line: Luxeuil, Neufchâteau, Reims. The two corps in the Alps remained in place. A more defensive variant envisaged a lineup on the line from Lure to Brienne , while another variant envisaged inserting the 4th Army between Quesnoy and Rethel and the 5th Army before Sainte-Menehould and Bar-le in the event of a German march through Belgium -Duc to set up.

Plan XI from 1891
1 re armée 2 e armée 3 e armée 4 e armée 5 e armée 7 e armée 9 e armée Armée des Alpes
Constellations from Bruyères to Châtel from Charmes to Mont-Saint-Vincent from Toul to Saint-Mihiel from Bar-le-Duc to Nettancourt from Donjeux to Neufchâteau from Vesoul to Lure south of Reims valleys leading to Italy
Compositions 7 e , 8 e , 13 e and 16 e Corps d'armée 5 e , 9 e , 12 e and 17 e Corps d'armée 4 e , 6 e , 11 e and 18 e Corps d'armée 1 er , 2 e , 3 e and 10 e Corps d'armée 19 e , 20 e , 25 e , 29 e and 32 e Corps d'armée 28 e , 33 e and 37 e Corps d'armée 22 e , 23 e and 30 e Corps d'armée 14 e and 15 e Corps d'armée
  • Plan XII

of 1893 took into account the French-Russian alliance and reformed the system of reserves, which has now been re-divided from seven to ten classes. Each active regiment was now responsible for the formation of its reserve regiment. The seven armies in the east were retained, four of them in the first line. Three variants were adopted: the pure defense, the massive enemy attack and the breach of Belgian or Swiss neutrality. In view of the Italian armaments, however, a war with Italy was only assumed together with a war against Germany. The 14th and 15th Corps, through the 13th and 16th Corps, were then supposed to only offer resistance against the Italians and remain on the defensive.

The rapprochement between the French Republic and the Russian Empire was based on military interests against their common opponents (Germany, but also the United Kingdom), which led to the visit of President Émile Loubet to Saint Petersburg in 1902
  • Plan XIII

of 1895 provided for the reinforcement of the reserves in the event of mobilization. Each army corps was to be reinforced by a reserve division, so that each corps had four divisions. The reserve corps were reduced to five (27th, 28th, 30th, 34th and 38th) and, in the event of mobilization, were formed from reservists and territorial forces. This system applied to the seven armies in the east (four in the first line) and a variant of the rear blocking front.

Plan XIII from 1895
1 re armée 2 e armée 3 e armée 4 e armée 5 e armée 7 e armée 9 e armée Armée des Alpes
Constellations from Châtel-sur-Moselle to Charmes from Charmes to Colombey from Toul to Commercy south of the Argonne northeast of Chaumont from Luxeuil à Jussey in the Reims area valleys leading to Italy
Compositions 7 e , 8 e , 13 e and 16 e Corps d'armée 5 e , 9 e , 12 e and 17 e Corps d'armée 4 e , 6 e , 11 e and 18 e Corps d'armée 1 er , 2 e , 3 e and 10 e Corps d'armée Marine Corps, 30 e and 34 e Corps d'armée 19 e and 38 e Corps d'armée 27 e and 28 e Corps d'armée 14 e and 15 e Corps d'armée

1898 to 1910, back to the defensive

The Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 rapid-fire gun was designed in 1897 to equip the French field artillery. The picture from 1913 shows a gun in the firing position during a maneuver. Next to it the ammunition wagons.
  • Plan XIV

of 1898 took into account the concerns of the General Staff (from now on led by Général Jamont) regarding the level of training and the drafting of reservists and territorial forces, the latter being delayed from now on. As a consequence, the army corps were reduced to two divisions (each infantry regiment received a fourth battalion). Meanwhile, the idea of ​​establishing armies in the second line and the reserve corps was abandoned. Each of the 12 military regions had to set up a reserve division in the event of mobilization , which should be deployed in three division groups at Vesoul , Troyes and Reims . The territorial units were intended as fortress garrisons, for coastal protection and for service in the stage.

The introduction of the field cannon M 1897 and the rapprochement with Russia were seen as a counterbalance to this reduction in the workforce. The French commander in chief had to choose between offensive or defensive behavior on the eighth day of mobilization. The organization now envisaged five armies, which should be positioned slightly behind the line Épinal, Neufchâteau (Vosges) and Revigny , the 5th Army between Chaumont and Joinville . Each army received artillery equipment called "Artillerie lourde d'armée" (Heavy Artillery of the Army), with 18 howitzers 120 mm C model 1890 ( Obusier de 120 mm C modèle 1890 ) and 12 cannons Canon court de 155 mm modèle 1882 assigned. The 1st Army was at the forefront and was supposed to secure Nancy immediately (the 20th Army Corps, established in February 1898, was stationed in Nancy), supported by an umbrella of seven cavalry divisions . The assumed German invasion of Belgium would necessitate a relocation of the reserve divisions of the 4th Army to the area between Guise and Hirson , while an invasion of Switzerland would result in the deployment of the 19th (African) Corps in the Jura . On the occasion of the Faschoda crisis , the withdrawal of the 19th Corps from Africa was initially no longer considered; instead, the front in the Jura would take over the active 43rd Infantry Division, which was newly established from mountain troops in the event of mobilization.

  • Plan XV

from 1903 was created under the command of Général Joseph Brugère. In order to be protected against all eventualities, the four armies should be set up in a diamond shape so that they can pull apart in all directions as quickly as possible: the 1st army in front of Metz and in front of Toul, the 2nd army leaning against the right at Dompaire , the 4th army . Army on the left wing at Ligny-en-Barrois and the 3rd Army withdrawn at Neufchâteau. The three reserve division groups were at Reims-Châlons-en-Champagne, Troyes- Vitry-le-François and Langres-Jussey. A reserve division was stationed near Paris. The shielding was assigned to the cavalry and the border corps (7th, 20th and 6th Army Corps). The threat of a surprising German advance Arschs by Belgium and the German fortifications in Alsace, in the Bruche and the Moselle led the General Staff in 1905, to modify the plan XV and now the 4th Army at Saint-Mihiel, Pierrefitte and Vouziers place , supported by a 5th Army at Revigny.

  • Plan XV bis (German: Plan XV a)

from 1907 by Général Alexis Hagron shifted the focus entirely to the north: the 2nd Army (with two corps) from Belfort to Plombières , the 1st Army (with four corps) from Thaon to Pont-Saint-Vincent , the 3rd Army Army (with four corps) from Pagny to Sampigny , the 4th Army (with four corps) from the Aire to north of Verdun, the 5th Army (two corps) in the area of ​​Vouziers. The 14th and 15th Corps as well as the 19th Corps from Africa were available as support - the latter reinforced by a corps of colonial troops and a 21st army corps, made up of troops from the 14th and 15th military regions. The three reserve division groups were planned in the area Laon to Mourmelon , from Arcis-sur-Aube to Troyes and near Gray .

  • Plan XVI

from 1909, developed under Général Henri de Lacroix, provided for a German offensive (taking into account from the 10th day of German mobilization) and, during the first period, a French defensive behavior in anticipation of British intervention. The infantry regiments were to be reduced to three battalions, each corps had to receive a reserve brigade, only the border corps (6th, 20th, 14th and 15th Army Corps) had to be reinforced by active troops. The artillery was increased by 24 regiments. When mobilizing, 46 active divisions (grouped into 22 army corps), eight cavalry divisions and 22 reserve divisions would then be available (of which 12 would form four reserve division groups, four would form the fortress garrisons in the east, four would be in the Alps and two in Paris). Nine territorial divisions would be set up in the event of an enemy invasion: two at Auvours and at the forest of la Braconne.

The deployment provided for five armies (with 14 corps and five cavalry divisions) from Vouziers in the Vosges. A 6th Army with four corps concentrated on Mourmelon to Brienne-le-Château, and the four reserve division groups were for the line La Fère to Laon, at Soissons , at Troyes and south of Dole . The area around Rethel was assigned to a group of three cavalry divisions. The cavalry had to be ready for action on the 3rd day after mobilization, the active infantry between the 6th and 10th day. On the 17th day, all combat readiness had to be established.

The hypothetical German march through Belgium or Switzerland, which would remain limited in scope, should be countered with the 6th Army.

1911 to 1913, renewed offensive thought

Général Victor-Constant Michel , 1911 brief commander in chief and in the same year by Général Joseph Joffre replaced
From left to right: Général Joseph Joffre, Minister of War Adolphe Messimy and Général Nicolas Charles Chomer during the 1911 “Great Maneuvers”

In 1911, the new Vice-President of the Council of War, Général Victor-Constant Michel , proposed a complete reorganization of the general mobilization. It was assumed that the Germans would advance through Belgium with massive forces. He therefore demanded the massing of the main forces of 11 army corps, the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th between Lille and Avesnes, the 16th, 17th and 18th between Hirson and Rethel, the 1st and 2nd Corps to be stationed directly on the Franco-Belgian border to repel any attack. The 6th, 7th and 20th Army Corps (each with three divisions) were to remain to defend the eastern border. For reinforcement, there were three corps near Paris (3rd, 4th and 5th corps), the two corps on the Alps (14th and 15th corps), the African corps (19th corps) and a new corps to be set up during mobilization (21st Corps). At the same time, in order to raise the necessary forces, it was proposed to abolish the personnel differences between the active and the reserve units and, during the mobilization, to strengthen the brigade, which in peacetime consisted of two active regiments, with the two assigned reserve regiments. That would double the strength of the divisions and army corps. The duration of mobilization would be delayed by two to three days. Furthermore, the equipment of the heavy artillery with guns should be increased. Following the demands of the Supreme War Council of July 19, 1911, the abolition of the reserve divisions was rejected.

On July 28th, the commander-in-chief, Général Michel, was replaced by Minister of War Adolphe Messimy as "incapable".

On September 6, 1911, the new chief of staff, Général Joseph Joffre, instructed the 3rd and 4th offices of his general staff to modify “Plan XVI” in a more offensive way. The German march through Belgium was assumed to be fixed. The deployment extended to the Ardennes with a concentration of the 5th Army between Amagne and Mézières , the 1st, 3rd and 5th cavalry divisions were in the area of ​​Mézières. On the other hand, Italy was very involved in the occupation of Tripolitania , the 14th and 15th Corps from the Alps could therefore be withdrawn and inserted in the Lure and Belfort area; one of the two was planned for a possible attack on Upper Alsace. The four reserve division groups were deployed in the areas of Vesoul , Toul, Sainte-Menehould and Mézières. Finally, as a consequence of the Franco-British conference of July 20, 1911, a British expeditionary force (referred to in the documents as "Armée W") with six divisions had been promised as support. According to the transport plan of the 4th General Staff Office, the units were intended for the Maubeuge and Hirson area.

A second variant of "Plan XVI" was approved in April 1913. It provided for the deployment of the troops a little further backwards: the 6th Army was now intended for a line in the Argonne as far as Grandpré , Varennes and Clermont , while the 3rd group of the reserve divisions was to be pushed in on the Meuse between Dun and Dieue . With the establishment of a 21st corps in Épinal in 1913 as well as the 9th and 10th cavalry divisions and the expansion of the 2nd military region into the Ardennes, a third variant was approved on October 10, 1913. This strengthened the first line through the accelerated rail transport of active troops in the first four days after mobilization.

The final plan

  • Plan XVII

of 1914 was the last of the mobilization plans before the start of the war. It was passed on April 15, 1914 under the commander-in-chief of the French armed forces, Général Joffre , and implemented with the general mobilization on August 2, 1914.

Individual evidence

AFGG = Les Armées françaises dans la Grande Guerre. French standard work on military history in 11 volumes and 21 partial volumes, published by the Service historique de la Défense . Imprimerie nationale, Paris 1922–1939.

  1. ↑ Plan XV a
  2. ↑ Law of July 27, 1872 on compulsory military service, published in the Bulletin des lois de la République française , No. 101 of August 17, 1872, p. 97 ( digitized in Gallica ).
  3. ↑ The law of July 24, 1873 related to the organization of the army, published in the Bulletin des lois de la République française , No. 147 of August 7, 1873, p. 113 ( digitized in Gallica ).
  4. ↑ According to the three orders of September 29, 1873, the 144 infantry regiments of four battalions each were reinforced by four regiments of Zouaves, three regiments of Tirailleurs , one regiment of the Foreign Legion, three battalions of African light infantry and 30 battalions of fighter. There were also other line infantry regiments, 14 cavalry regiments and eight artillery regiments. Published in the Bulletin des lois de la République française , No. 158 of September 29 and 30, 1873, pp. 567-572 ( digitized on Gallica ).
  5. ↑ Published in the Bulletin des lois de la République française , No. 257 of March 28, 1875, p. 605 ( digitized on Gallica ).
  6. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), pp. 3–4, digitized on Gallica .
  7. ^ Dominique Lejeune: La France de la Belle Époque 1896-1914. Armand Colin, Paris 2007 (first edition 1991), ISBN 978-2-200-35198-4 , p. 88.
  8. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), p. 4, digitized on Gallica .
  9. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), pp. 5-6, digitized on Gallica .
  10. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), pp. 7-8, digitized on Gallica .
  11. ↑ The hypothesis of a German attack by Belgium has been dealt with in 300 publications. Read in: Maxime Lecomte, Camille Lévi: Neutralité belge et invasion allemande - Histoire, stratégie. Henri Charles-Lavauzelle, Paris 1914.
  12. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), p. 6, digitized on Gallica .
  13. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), pp. 8-9, digitized on Gallica .
  14. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), p. 7, digitized on Gallica .
  15. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), pp. 10-11, digitized on Gallica .
  16. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), p. 10, digitized on Gallica .
  17. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), p. 12, digitized on Gallica .
  18. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), pp. 13-16, digitized on Gallica .
  19. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), p. 14, digitized on Gallica .
  20. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), pp. 17-18, digitized on Gallica .
  21. ↑ "to" stands for approximately: additionally / additionally set up.
  22. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), pp. 20-22, digitized on Gallica .
  23. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), p. 22, digitized on Gallica .
  24. ↑ Séance du conseil supérieur de la Guerre du 21 December 1893. ( AFGG I / 1, Annexes, vol. 1 (1922), pp. 1–4, digitized on Gallica .)
  25. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), p. 26, digitized on Gallica .
  26. ↑ The fourth battalions were abolished in 1887, but were re-established by the law of May 4, 1897.
  27. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), pp. 30-32, digitized on Gallica .
  28. ↑ With the law of July 7, 1900, the troops of the Navy Ministry and the colonial troops were placed under the Ministry of War.
  29. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), pp. 32-33, digitized on Gallica .
  30. ↑ "Law of July 24, 1909 on the relativization of the composition of the troops and the strength of the active army and the territorial army and the associated artillery". Published in the Bulletin des lois de la République française , No. 14 of July 31, 1909, p. 1433 ( digitized on Gallica ).
  31. ↑ AFGG I / 1 (1936), pp. 33-36, digitized on Gallica .
  32. ↑ Written note by Général de Lacroix at the meeting of the Supreme War Council on February 15, 1908. ( AFGG I / 1, Annexes, vol. 1 (1922), pp. 5 and 6, digitized on Gallica .)
  33. ↑ Report au ministre de la Guerre au sujet de l'étude d'un projet d'opérations of February 10, 1911. ( AFGG I / 1, Annexes, vol. 1 (1922), pp. 8-11, digitized on Gallica .)
  34. ↑ Note of June 15, 1911 by Général Michel and the debates of the Supreme War Council of July 19, 1911. ( AFGG I / 1, Annexes, vol. 1 (1922), pp. 12-17, digitized on Gallica .)
  35. ↑ "Law of December 22, 1913 on the establishment of a new Région de corps d'armée (German: military area) on the territory of France", published in the Bulletin des lois de la République française , No. 120 of December 24, 1913 , P. 3178 ( digitized on Gallica ). Decrees of September 22nd and December 31st, 1913 on the establishment of the 21 e région territoriale , published in the Bulletin des lois de la République française , No. 120 of January 3, 1914, p. 3429 ( digitized in Gallica ).

literature

Volume 1: 1936 (new edition; first edition 1922). Part 1: L'avant-guerre. P. 1. Part 2: Le haut commandement dans la bataille des frontières. P. 93. Part 3: Les operations à l'est de la Moselle. P. 219. Part 4: Les opérations entre Moselle et Meuse. P. 345. Part 5: Les operations à l'ouest de la Meuse. P. 431 ( digitized version ). Annexes. 1922 ( digitized ).
Volume 2: 1925. Part 1: La manœuvre en retraite. P. 1. Part 2: Les préliminaires de la bataille de la Marne. P. 549 ( digitized version ).
Volume 3: 1932. Part 1: La manœuvre offensive. P. 82. Part 2: La bataille d'arrêt. P. 309. Part 3: La poursuite. P. 663. Part 4: Les armées de l'est. S. 1147. ( digitized version ).
Volume 4: 1934. Part 1: La bataille de l'Aisne (14-21 September 1914). S. 1. Part 2: La course à la mer (September 19 – October 15, 1914). P. 127. Part 3: La bataille des Flandres (15 octobre – 14 novembre 1914). P. 263. Part 4: Les opérations sur le front stabilisé (September 21 to November 14, 1914). P. 391 ( digitized version ).