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