title: French Army order of battle (1914)
text: # 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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