The order of the battle of the French Army in August 1914 was planned according to the mobilisation and concentration Plan XVII and applied on 2 August 1914, the day before the German Empire declared war.
The order of battle is similar to the German Army with several armies each having army corps of two infantry divisions, with a number of reserve units at the disposal of the Commander in Chief and Minister of War. The organisation changed during August with the assignment of new reserve units and the creation of new armies.
French Army order of battle on 2 August 1914
Peacetime Organisation
The peacetime army had, in the spring of 1914, a strength of 882,907 men, with 686,993 in metropolitan France, 62,598 in Algeria and Tunisia, 81,750 in Morocco, and 51,566 auxiliaries.
The territory of the French Republic was divided into 21 military regions, 20 in metropolitan France, and one in Algeria (the 19th). Each region provided two infantry divisions, except the 6th which had three divisions.
The army had 686 infantry battalions. Metropolitan France had 173 infantry regiments, each with three battalions (nine regiments had four), as well as 31 light infantry (French : chasseur à pied ) battalions, and 12 colonial infantry regiments (each with three battalions). In the colonies, there was four regiments of Zouaves with six battalions, 9 regiments of Algerian riflemen (French : tirailleurs algériens ) with 40 battalions, 2 regiments of the Foreign Legion with six battalions, 5 battalions of African light infantry, 6 Moroccan colonial marching regiments , and 5 battalions of Moroccan auxiliaries.
The cavalry had 378 squadrons, organised into 89 regiments (each with four squadrons): 12 cuirassier , 32 dragoon , 21 light horse (French : chasseur à cheval ), 14 hussar , 6 African light horse, and 4 Spahis .
The artillery had 855 batteries (each of four guns), organised into 62 field artillery regiments, 2 mountain artillery regiments, 11 foot artillery regiments, 5 heavy artillery regiments, 10 African artillery groups, and 3 colonial artillery regiments. It provided 42 divisional artillery (with three groups or nine batteries), 20 corps artillery (with four groups or twelve batteries), and 10 horse groups (with three batteries).
Mobilisation
The French army began mobilising on August 2, 1914 according to Plan XVII . The 680,000 peacetime troops were joined by 2,900,000 reservists and territorials. The three youngest classes of reservists were used to bring active units up to wartime strength, while new units were created from older reservists and territorials.
Each of 21 military regions provided an army corps of two infantry divisions. Each corps was numbered after the military region it was created from. The 19th region in Algeria did not form a corps, but did send its two divisions. A total of 46 infantry divisions were mobilised with 1,054,000 men, and 10 cavalry divisions with 52,500 men.
Each infantry division is composed of two infantry brigades with two regiments, plus a cavalry squadron, an artillery regiment (with three groups) and an engineer company. Each cavalry division is made up of three brigades with two regiments, plus a cyclist group, an artillery group and a detachment of cyclist engineers. Each army corps is made up of two infantry divisions (except the 6th corps with three divisions) with corps troops of a cavalry regiment (with four squadrons), an artillery regiment (with four groups), and an engineering battalion (with four companies).
Then, reserve infantry regiments are formed from the active regiments. They are given the same number as the active regiment plus 200. Reserve infantry regiments had two battalions, compared with three for the active regiments. These are grouped into 25 reserve infantry divisions numbered from 51 to 75 (numbered after their military region plus 50). These reserve divisions had a total of 450,000 men.
The active and reserve regiments are each created from roughly 50/50 active and reserve personnel. To show this continuity, the active battalions were numbered 1, 2, and 3, while the reserve battalions were numbered 5 and 6.
The oldest were placed into territorial infantry regiments with three or four battalions, some of which were used to create 12 territorial infantry divisions with 184,600 men.
The wartime army increased to:
1,525 infantry battalions (642 active, 406 reserve and 410 territorial), of approximately 1,100 men (with four companies of 254 men);
545 cavalry squadrons (316 active, 176 reserve and 37 territorial) of approximately 120 men (in four platoons of 30 cavalrymen);
1,468 artillery batteries (1,042 active, 265 reserve and 161 territorial), each of four guns (a group usually has three batteries);
508 engineering companies and detachments.
Added to the 95 active, reserve and territorial divisions with 1,681,100 men are the army troops of 187,500 men, garrisons of 821,400 men, depots of 680,000 men, and railway guards of 210,000 men.
Armies deployed north to south
Fifth Army
Charles Lanrezac
The Fifth Army (French : 5re Armée ) was commanded by General Charles Lanrezac . In August 1914 it was concentrated between Hirson and Dun-sur-Meus, with the mission of guarding the border with Belgium. Its strength on mobilisation was 8,886 officers, 290,464 NCOs and men, and 108,360 horses organised into five corps of ten infantry divisions, two reserve infantry divisions, and one cavalry division.
Army troops
1st Heavy Artillery Regiment
Two groups (seven batteries) of 155mm CTR
Two groups (six batteries) of 120mm Baquet
4th Heavy Artillery Regiment
One group (four batteries) of 120mm Long
9th Telegraph Engineer Company
Radio Detachment G, 7th Engineer Regiment
Pontoon Engineer Company 24/2, 7th Engineer Regiment
Aviation Squadrons DO 4, DO 6, C.11, N 12, REP 15, and V 24
52nd Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Hyacinthe Clément Justin Coquet
103rd Infantry Brigade
291st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
347th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
348th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
104th Infantry Brigade
245th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
320th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
5th and 6th Squadrons, 21st Dragoon Regiment
17th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
29th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
42nd Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 2/13, 2/19, and 2/24, 1st Engineer Regiment
Transmission Detachment, 8th Engineer Regiment
60th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Géraud Réveilhac
119th Infantry Brigade
247th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
248th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
271st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
120th Infantry Brigade
202nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
225th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
336th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
5th and 6th Squadrons, 24th Dragoon Regiment
7th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
10th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
50th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 10/13, 10/19, and 10/24, 1st Engineer Regiment
Transmission Detachment, 8th Engineer Regiment
4th Cavalry Division
Commander: Abonneau
3rd Cuirassier Brigade
3rd Cuirassier Regiment
6th Cuirassier Regiment
4th Dragoon Brigade
28th Dragoon Regiment
30th Dragoon Regiment
4th Light Cavalry Brigade
2nd Hussar Regiment
4th Hussar Regiment
4th Cyclist Group, 19th Light Infantry Battalion
4th Group, 40th Field Artillery Regiment
Cyclist Engineers, 9th Engineer Regiment
I Corps
Commander: Louis Franchet d'Espèrey
Corps troops
201st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
284th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
6th Light Horse Regiment
41st Field Artillery Regiment
1st Foot Artillery Regiment
Companies 1/3, 1/4, 1/16, and 1/21, 3rd Engineer Regiment
1st Infantry Division
Commander: Marie Alexandre Gallet
1st Infantry Brigade
43rd Infantry Regiment
127th Infantry Regiment
2nd Infantry Brigade
1st Infantry Regiment
84th Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 6th Light Horse Regiment
15th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 1/1, 3rd Engineer Regiment
2nd Infantry Division
Commander: Henry Victor Deligny
3rd Infantry Brigade
33rd Infantry Regiment
73rd Infantry Regiment
4th Infantry Brigade
8th Infantry Regiment
110th Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 6th Light Horse Regiment
27th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 1/2, 3rd Engineer Regiment
II Corps
Commander: Augustin Gérard
Corps troops
272nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
338th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
19th Light Horse Regiment
29th Field Artillery Regiment
Companies 2/3, 2/4, 2/16, and 2/21, 3rd Engineer Regiment
3rd Infantry Division
Commander: Charles Louis Jacques Régnault
5th Infantry Brigade
72nd Infantry Regiment
128th Infantry Regiment
6th Infantry Brigade
51st Infantry Regiment
87th Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 19th Light Horse Regiment
17th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 2/1, 3rd Engineer Regiment
4th Infantry Division
Commander: Charles Rabier
7th Infantry Brigade
91st Infantry Regiment
147th Infantry Regiment
8th Infantry Brigade
45th Infantry Regiment
148th Infantry Regiment
87th Infantry Brigade
120th Infantry Regiment
9th Light Infantry Battalion
18th Light Infantry Battalion
16th Dragoon Regiment (two squadrons)
30th Dragoon Regiment (one squadron)
42nd Field Artillery Regiment (four batteries)
Company 2/2, 3rd Engineer Regiment
III Corps
Commander: Henry Sauret
Corps troops
239th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
274th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
7th Light Horse Regiment
11th Field Artillery Regiment
5th Infantry Division
Commander: Élie Verrier
9th Infantry Brigade
39th Infantry Regiment
74th Infantry Regiment
10th Infantry Brigade
36th Infantry Regiment
129th Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 7th Light Horse Regiment
43rd Field Artillery Regiment
Company 3/1, 3rd Engineer Regiment
6th Infantry Division
Commander: Georges Bloch
11th Infantry Brigade
24th Infantry Regiment
28th Infantry Regiment
12th Infantry Brigade
5th Infantry Regiment
119th Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 7th Light Horse Regiment
22nd Field Artillery Regiment
Company 3/2, 3rd Engineer Regiment
X Corps
Commander: Gilbert Desforges
Corps troops
241st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
270th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
13th Hussar Regiment
50th Field Artillery Regiment
19th Infantry Division
Commander: Gaëtan Bonnier
37th Infantry Brigade
48th Infantry Regiment
71st Infantry Regiment
38th Infantry Brigade
41st Infantry Regiment
70th Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 13th Hussar Regiment
7th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 10/1, 6th Engineer Regiment
20th Infantry Division
Commander: Elie Boë
39th Infantry Brigade
25th Infantry Regiment
136th Infantry Regiment
40th Infantry Brigade
2nd Infantry Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 13th Hussar Regiment
10th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 10/2, 6th Engineer Regiment
XI Corps
Commander: Joseph-Paul Eydoux
Corps troops
293rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
317th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
2nd Light Horse Regiment
28th Field Artillery Regiment
3rd Foot Artillery Regiment
Companies 11/3, 11/4, 11/16, and 11/21, 6th Engineer Regiment
21st Infantry Division
Commander: René Radiguet
41st Infantry Brigade
64th Infantry Regiment
65th Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Brigade
93rd Infantry Regiment
137th Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 2nd Light Horse Regiment
51st Field Artillery Regiment
Company 11/1, 6th Engineer Regiment
22nd Infantry Division
Commander: Joseph Pambet
43rd Infantry Brigade
62nd Infantry Regiment
116th Infantry Regiment
44th Infantry Brigade
19th Infantry Regiment
118th Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 2nd Light Horse Regiment
35th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 11/2, 6th Engineer Regiment
Fourth Army
Fernand de Langle de Cary
The Fourth Army (French : 4re Armée ) was commanded by General Fernand de Langle de Cary . In August 1914 it was concentrated between Saint-Dizier and Bar-le-Duc, with the mission of being held in reserve in the Argonne Region. Its strength on mobilisation was 4,689 officers, 154,899 NCOs and men, and 58,491 horses organised into three corps of four infantry divisions, two colonial infantry divisions, and one cavalry division.
Army troops
2nd Heavy Artillery Regiment
One group (three batteries) of 155mm CTR
4th Telegraph Engineer Company
Radio Detachment F, 7th Engineer Regiment
Pontoon Engineer Company 24/1, 7th Engineer Regiment
Aviation Squadrons V 14 and V 21
9th Cavalry Division
Commander: Jean de l'Espée
1st Cuirassier Brigade
5th Cuirassier Regiment
8th Cuirassier Regiment
9th Dragoon Brigade
1st Dragoon Regiment
3rd Dragoon Regiment
16th Dragoon Brigade
24th Dragoon Regiment
25th Dragoon Regiment
9th Cyclist Group, 25th Light Infantry Battalion
4th Group, 33rd Field Artillery Regiment
Cyclist Engineers, 6th Engineer Regiment
XII Corps
Commander: Pierre Auguste Roques
Corps troops
300th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
326th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
21st Light Horse Regiment (four squadrons)
52nd Field Artillery Regiment
Companies 12/3, 12/4, 12/16, and 12/21, 6th Engineer Regiment
23rd Infantry Division
Commander: Charles Leblond
45th Infantry Brigade
63rd Infantry Regiment
78th Infantry Regiment
46th Infantry Brigade
107th Infantry Regiment
138th Infantry Regiment
21st Light Horse Regiment (one squadron)
21st Field Artillery Regiment
Company 21/1, 6th Engineer Regiment
24th Infantry Division
Commander: Garreau de la Mèchenie
47th Infantry Brigade
50th Infantry Regiment
108th Infantry Regiment
48th Infantry Brigade
100th Infantry Regiment
126th Infantry Regiment
21st Light Horse Regiment (one squadron)
34th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 12/2, 6th Engineer Regiment
XVII Corps
Commander: Arthur Joseph Poline
Corps troops
207th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
209th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
9th Light Horse Regiment
57th Field Artillery Regiment
33rd Infantry Division
Commander: François de Villeméjane
65th Infantry Brigade
7th Infantry Regiment
9th Infantry Regiment
66th Infantry Brigade
11th Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 9th Light Horse Regiment
18th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 17/1, 2nd Engineer Regiment
34th Infantry Division
Commander: Henri Alby
67th Infantry Brigade
14th Infantry Regiment
83rd Infantry Regiment
68th Infantry Brigade
59th Infantry Regiment
88th Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 9th Light Horse Regiment
23rd Field Artillery Regiment
Company 17/2, 2nd Engineer Regiment
Colonial Corps
Commander: Jules Lefèvre
Corps troops
5th Colonial Infantry Brigade
21st Colonial Infantry Regiment
23rd Colonial Infantry Regiment
3rd African Horse Regiment
3rd Colonial Field Artillery Regiment (four groups)
Companies 22/2, 22/4, 22/16, and 22/31, 1st Engineer Regiment
2nd Colonial Infantry Division
Commander: Paul Leblois
4th Colonial Infantry Brigade
4th Colonial Infantry Regiment
8th Colonial Infantry Regiment
6th Colonial Infantry Brigade
22nd Colonial Infantry Regiment
24th Colonial Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 6th Dragoon Regiment
1st Colonial Artillery Regiment
Company 22/1, 1st Engineer Regiment
3rd Colonial Infantry Division
Commander: Léon Raffenel
1st Colonial Infantry Brigade
1st Colonial Infantry Regiment
2nd Colonial Infantry Regiment
3rd Colonial Infantry Brigade
3rd Colonial Infantry Regiment
7th Colonial Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 6th Dragoon Regiment
2nd Colonial Artillery Regiment
Company 22/3, 1st Engineer Regiment
Third Army
Pierre Ruffey
The Third Army (French : 3re Armée ) was commanded by General Pierre Ruffey . In August 1914 it was concentrated between Saint-Mihiel and Verdun, with the mission of holding the Germans in their defensive positions before Metz. Its strength on mobilisation was 6,786 officers, 230,471 NCOs and men, and 80,381 horses organised into three corps of seven infantry divisions, three reserve infantry divisions, and one cavalry division.
Army troops
2nd Heavy Artillery Regiment
One group (three batteries) of 155mm CTR
One group (three batteries) of 120mm Baquet
4th Heavy Artillery Regiment
Three groups (twelve batteries) of 120mm Long
4th Telegraph Engineer Company
Radio Detachment F, 7th Engineer Regiment
24/1st Pontoon Engineer Company, 24th Battalion, 7th Engineer Regiment
Aviation Squadrons MF 2, HF 7, HF 13, MF 16, and DO 22
7th Cavalry Division
6th Cuirassier Brigade
11th Cuirassier Regiment
12th Cuirassier Regiment
1st Dragoon Brigade
7th Dragoon Regiment
13th Dragoon Regiment
7th Light Cavalry Brigade
1st Light Horse Regiment
20th Light Horse Regiment
7th Cyclist Group, 4th Light Infantry Battalion
4th Group, 30th Field Artillery Regiment
Cyclist Engineers, 8th Engineer Regiment
IV Corps
Commander: Victor René Boëlle
Corps Troops
315th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
317th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
14th Hussar Regiment
44th Field Artillery Regiment
7th Infantry Division
Commander: Edgard de Trentinian
13th Infantry Brigade
101st Infantry Regiment
102nd Infantry Regiment
14th Infantry Brigade
103rd Infantry Regiment
104th Infantry Regiment
14th Hussar Regiment (one squadron)
25th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 4/1, 1st Engineer Regiment
8th Infantry Division
Commander: Raoul de Lartigue
15th Infantry Brigade
124th Infantry Regiment
130th Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Brigade
115th Infantry Regiment
117th Infantry Regiment
14th Hussar Regiment (one squadron)
31st Field Artillery Regiment
Company 4/2, 1st Engineer Regiment
V Corps
Commander: Charles Brochin
Corps Troops
313th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
331st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
8th Light Horse Regiment
45th Field Artillery Regiment
9th Infantry Division
Commander: Pierre Peslin
17th Infantry Brigade
4th Infantry Regiment
82nd Infantry Regiment
18th Infantry Brigade
113th Infantry Regiment
131st Infantry Regiment
8th Light Horse Regiment (one squadron)
20th Field Artillery Regiment (four batteries)
Company 5/1, 1st Engineer Regiment
10th Infantry Division
Commander: Michel Auger
19th Infantry Brigade
46th Infantry Regiment
89th Infantry Regiment
20th Infantry Brigade
31st Infantry Regiment
76th Infantry Regiment
8th Light Horse Regiment (one squadron)
6th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 5/2, 1st Engineer Regiment
VI Corps
Commander: Maurice Sarrail
Corps troops
6th Company, Forest Hunters
1st Light Cavalry Brigade
10th Light Horse Regiment
12th Light Horse Regiment
46th Field Artillery Regiment
6th Foot Artillery Regiment
12th Infantry Division
Commander: Louis-Auguste-Didier Souchier
23rd Infantry Brigade
54th Infantry Regiment
67th Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Brigade
106th Infantry Regiment
132nd Infantry Regiment
15th Light Horse Regiment (one squadron)
25th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 6/1, 9th Engineer Regiment
40th Infantry Division
Commander: Émile Hache
79th Infantry Brigade
154th Infantry Regiment
155th Infantry Regiment
26th Light Infantry Battalion
80th Infantry Brigade
150th Infantry Regiment
161st Infantry Regiment
25th Light Infantry Battalion
29th Light Infantry Battalion
10th Light Horse Regiment (one squadron)
12th Light Horse Regiment (one squadron)
40th Field Artillery Regiment (4 batteries)
Company 6/2, 9th Engineer Regiment
42nd Infantry Division
Commander: Martial Justin Verraux
83rd Infantry Brigade
94th Infantry Regiment
8th Light Infantry Battalion
16th Light Infantry Battalion
19th Light Infantry Battalion
84th Infantry Brigade
151st Infantry Regiment
162nd Infantry Regiment
2nd Light Horse Regiment (one squadron)
61st Field Artillery Regiment
Company 6/2, 9th Engineer Regiment
3rd Group of Reserve Divisions
Commander: Paul Durand
54th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Chailley
107th Infantry Brigade
301st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
302nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
303rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
108th Infantry Brigade
324th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
330th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
363rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
5th and 6th Squadrons, 1st Light Horse Regiment
26th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
31st Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
44th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Transmission Detachment, 8th Engineer Regiment
55th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Louis Leguay
109th Infantry Brigade
204th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
282nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
289th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
110th Infantry Brigade
231st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
246th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
276th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
32nd Dragoon Regiment (2 squadrons)
13th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
30th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
35th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 5/13, 5/19, and 5/24, 6th Engineer Regiment
Transmission Detachment, 8th Engineer Regiment
56th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Frédéric Micheler
111st Infantry Brigade
294th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
354th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
355th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
112th Infantry Brigade
350th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
361st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
5th & 6th Squadrons, 13th Hussar Regiment
25th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
32nd Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
40th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 6/11, 6/17, and 6/22, 3rd Engineer Regiment
Transmission Detachment, 8th Engineer Regiment
Second Army
Édouard de Castelnau
The Second Army (French : 2re Armée ) was commanded by General Édouard de Castelnau . In August 1914 its major role in the campaign plan was to liberate Lorraine and attack into Germany. It was concentrated between Pont-Saint-Vincent and Neufchâteau, with the mission of attacking towards Morhange. Its strength on mobilisation was 9,391 officers, 314,804 NCOs and men, and 110,062 horses organised into five corps of ten infantry divisions, three reserve infantry divisions, and two cavalry divisions.
Army troops
3rd & 4th Heavy Artillery Regiments
Two groups (seven batteries) of 155mm CTR
Two groups (six batteries) of 120mm Baquet
One group (four batteries) of 120mm Long
1st Telegraph Engineer Company
23/2nd Pontoon Engineer Company, 23rd Battalion, 7th Engineer Regiment
Aviation Squadrons HF 1, MF 8, HF 19, MF 20, and MS 17
2nd Cavalry Division
Commander: Antide Lescot
2nd Dragoon Brigade
8th Dragoon Regiment
31st Dragoon Regiment
12th Dragoon Brigade
4th Dragoon Regiment
12th Dragoon Regiment
2nd Light Cavalry Brigade
17th Light Horse Regiment
18th Light Horse Regiment
2nd Cyclist Group, 2nd Light Infantry Battalion
4th Group, 8th Field Artillery Regiment
Cyclist Engineers, 10th Engineer Regiment
10th Cavalry Division
Commander: Louis Conneau
10th Dragoon Brigade
15th Dragoon Regiment
20th Dragoon Regiment
15th Dragoon Brigade
10th Dragoon Regiment
19th Dragoon Regiment
10th Cyclist Group, 1st Light Infantry Battalion
4th Group, 14th Field Artillery Regiment
Cyclist Engineers, 9th Engineer Regiment
IX Corps
Commander: Pierre Joseph Louis Alfred Dubois
Corps troops
268th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
290th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
7th Hussar Regiment (4 squadrons)
49th Field Artillery Regiment
Companies 9/3, 9/4, 9/16, and 9/21, 6th Engineer Regiment
Telegraph Detachment, 8th Engineer Regiment
17th Infantry Division
Commander: Noël Jean-Baptiste Henri Alphonse Dumas
33rd Infantry Brigade
68th Infantry Regiment
90th Infantry Regiment
34th Infantry Brigade
114th Infantry Regiment
125th Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 7th Hussar Regiment
20th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 9/1, 6th Engineer Regiment
18th Infantry Division
Commander: Justinien Lefèvre
35th Infantry Brigade
32nd Infantry Regiment
66th Infantry Regiment
36th Infantry Brigade
77th Infantry Regiment
135th Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 7th Hussar Regiment
33rd Field Artillery Regiment (4 groups)
Company 9/2, 6th Engineer Regiment
XV Corps
Commander: Louis Espinasse
Corps troops
6th Mountain Infantry Battalion
23rd Mountain Infantry Battalion
24th Mountain Infantry Battalion
27th Mountain Infantry Battalion
6th Hussar Regiment
38th Field Artillery Regiment
7th Foot Artillery Regiment
10th Foot Artillery Regiment
29th Infantry Division
Commander: Jean Baptiste Jules Carbillet
57th Infantry Brigade
111th Infantry Regiment
112th Infantry Regiment
58th Infantry Brigade
3rd Infantry Regiment
141st Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 6th Hussar Regiment
55th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 15/1, 7th Engineer Regiment
30th Infantry Division
Commander: Colle
59th Infantry Brigade
40th Infantry Regiment
58th Infantry Regiment
60th Infantry Brigade
55th Infantry Regiment
61st Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 6th Hussar Regiment
19th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 15/2, 7th Engineer Regiment
XVI Corps
Commander: Taverna
Corps troops
322nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
342nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
1st Hussar Regiment
9th Field Artillery Regiment
31st Infantry Division
Commander: Jean-Jacques Vidal
61st Infantry Brigade
81st Infantry Regiment
96th Infantry Regiment
62nd Infantry Brigade
122nd Infantry Regiment
142nd Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 1st Hussar Regiment
56th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 16/1, 2nd Engineer Regiment
32nd Infantry Division
Commander: Bouchez
63rd Infantry Brigade
53rd Infantry Regiment
80th Infantry Regiment
64th Infantry Brigade
15th Infantry Regiment
143rd Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 1st Hussar Regiment
3rd Field Artillery Regiment
Company 16/2, 2nd Engineer Regiment
XVIII Corps
Commander: Jacques Marie Armand de Mas-Latrie
Corps troops
218th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
342nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
10th Hussar Regiment
58th Field Artillery Regiment
35th Infantry Division
Commander: Charles Exelmans
69th Infantry Brigade
6th Infantry Regiment
123rd Infantry Regiment
70th Infantry Brigade
57th Infantry Regiment
144th Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 10th Hussar Regiment
24th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 18/1, 2nd Engineer Regiment
36th Infantry Division
Commander: Jouannic
71st Infantry Brigade
34th Infantry Regiment
49th Infantry Regiment
72nd Infantry Brigade
12th Infantry Regiment
18th Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 10th Hussar Regiment
14th Field Artillery Regiment (4 batteries)
Company 18/2, 2nd Engineer Regiment
XX Corps
Commander: Ferdinand Foch
Corps troops
41st Colonial Infantry Regiment
43rd Colonial Infantry Regiment
5th Hussar Regiment
60th Field Artillery Regiment
6th Foot Artillery Regiment
11th Infantry Division
Commander: Maurice Balfourier
21st Infantry Brigade
26th Infantry Regiment
69th Infantry Regiment
2nd Light Infantry Battalion
4th Light Infantry Battalion
22nd Infantry Brigade
37th Infantry Regiment
79th Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 5th Hussar Regiment
8th Field Artillery Regiment (4 batteries)
Company 20/1, 10th Engineer Regiment
39th Infantry Division
Commander: Georges Dantant
77th Infantry Brigade
146th Infantry Regiment
153rd Infantry Regiment
78th Infantry Brigade
156th Infantry Regiment
160th Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 5th Hussar Regiment
39th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 20/2, 10th Engineer Regiment
2nd Group of Reserve Divisions
Commander: Léon Durand
59th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Charlery de la Masselière
117th Infantry Brigade
232nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
314th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
325th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
118th Infantry Brigade
226th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
277th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
335th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
25th Dragoon Regiment (2 squadrons)
20th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
33rd Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
49th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 9/13, 9/19, and 9/24, 6th Engineer Regiment
Transmission Detachment, 8th Engineer Regiment
68th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Émile Brun d'Aubignosc
135th Infantry Brigade
206th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
234th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
323rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
136th Infantry Brigade
212th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
257th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
344th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
15th Dragoon Regiment (2 squadrons)
14th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
24th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
58th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 18/13, 18/19, and 18/24, 2nd Engineer Regiment
Transmission Detachment, 8th Engineer Regiment
70th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Charles Bizard
139th Infantry Brigade
226th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
269th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
42nd Light Infantry Battalion (reserve)
Infantry Brigade
237th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
279th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
360th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
23rd Dragoon Regiment (2 squadrons)
38th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
60th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
5th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 20/11, 20/17, 20/22, 10th Engineer Regiment
First Army
Augustin Dubail
The First Army (French : 1re Armée ) was commanded by General Auguste Dubail . In August 1914 it constituted the right wing of the French Army, concentrated between Remiremont and Charmes, with the mission of attacking towards Mulhouse and Sarrebourg. Its strength on mobilisation was 7,588 officers, 258,864 NCOs and men, and 92,106 horses organised into five corps of ten infantry divisions, and two cavalry divisions.
Army troops
5th Heavy Artillery Regiment
Two groups (six batteries) of 120mm Baquet
Two groups (six batteries) of 155mm CTR
1st Telegraph Engineer Company
23/1st Pontoon Engineer Company, 23rd Battalion, 7th Engineer Regiment
Aviation Squadrons BL 3, BL 9, BL 10, BL 18, and MF 5
6th Cavalry Division
Commander: Georges Édouard Levillain
5th Cuirassier Brigade
7th Cuirassier Regiment
10th Cuirassier Regiment
6th Dragoon Brigade
2nd Dragoon Regiment
14th Dragoon Regiment
6th Light Cavalry Brigade
13th Light Horse Regiment
11th Hussar Regiment
6th Cyclist Group, 13th Mountain Infantry Battalion
4th Group, 54th Field Artillery Regiment
Cyclist Engineers, 4th Engineer Regiment
8th Cavalry Division
Commander: Louis Dominique Achille Aubier
8th Dragoon Brigade
11th Dragoon Regiment
18th Dragoon Regiment
14th Dragoon Brigade
17th Dragoon Regiment
26th Dragoon Regiment
8th Light Cavalry Brigade
12th Hussar Regiment
14th Light Horse Regiment
8th Cyclist Group, 15th Mountain Infantry Battalion
4th Group, 4th Field Artillery Regiment
Cyclist Engineers, 9th Engineer Regiment
VII Corps
Commander: Louis Bonneau
Corps troops
352nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
45th Light Infantry Battalion
55th Light Infantry Battalion
7th, 11th, and 12th companies, Forest Hunters
11th Light Horse Regiment
5th Field Artillery Regiment
Companies 7/3, 7/4, 7/16, and 7/21, 11th Engineer Regiment
14th Infantry Division
Commander: Louis Curé
27th Infantry Brigade
44th Infantry Regiment
60th Infantry Regiment
28th Infantry Brigade
35th Infantry Regiment
42nd Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 11th Light Horse Regiment
47th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 7/1, 11th Engineer Regiment
41st Infantry Division
Commander: Paul Superbie
81st Infantry Brigade
152nd Infantry Regiment
5th Light Infantry Battalion
15th Light Infantry Battalion
82nd Infantry Brigade
23rd Infantry Regiment
133rd Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 11th Light Horse Regiment
4th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 7/2, 11th Engineer Regiment
VIII Corps
Commander: Marie Joseph Louis Dominique de Castelli
Corps troops
210th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
227th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
16th Light Horse Regiment
37th Field Artillery Regiment
Companies 8/3, 8/4, 8/16, and 8/21, 4th Engineer Regiment
15th Infantry Division
Commander: Léon Bajolle
29th Infantry Brigade
56th Infantry Regiment
134th Infantry Regiment
30th Infantry Brigade
10th Infantry Regiment
27th Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 16th Light Horse Regiment
48th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 8/1, 4th Engineer Regiment
16th Infantry Division
Commander: Louis Ernest de Maud'huy
31st Infantry Brigade
85th Infantry Regiment
95th Infantry Regiment
32nd Infantry Brigade
13th Infantry Regiment
29th Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 16th Light Horse Regiment
1st Field Artillery Regiment
Company 8/2, 4th Engineer Regiment
XIII Corps
Commander: César Alix
Corps troops
41st Light Infantry Battalion
43rd Light Infantry Battalion
50th Light Infantry Battalion
71st Light Infantry Battalion
3rd Light Horse Regiment
53rd Field Artillery Regiment
Companies 13/3, 13/4, 13/16, and 13/21, 4th Engineer Regiment
Communications Detachment, 8th Engineer Regiment
25th Infantry Division
Commander: Gaston Delétoille
49th Infantry Brigade
38th Infantry Regiment
86th Infantry Regiment
50th Infantry Brigade
16th Infantry Regiment
98th Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 3rd Light Horse Regiment
36th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 13/1, 4th Engineer Regiment
26th Infantry Division
Commander: Gustave Silhol
51st Infantry Brigade
105th Infantry Regiment
121st Infantry Regiment
52nd Infantry Brigade
92nd Infantry Regiment
139th Infantry Regiment
6th Squadron, 3rd Light Horse Regiment
16th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 13/2, 4th Engineer Regiment
XIV Corps
Commander: Paul Pouradier-Duteil
Corps Troops
2nd Colonial Infantry Brigade
5th Colonial Infantry Regiment
6th Colonial Infantry Regiment
9th Light Horse Regiment
6th Field Artillery Regiment
5th Heavy Artillery Regiment
11th Foot Artillery Regiment
Companies 14/3, 14/6, 14/16, and 14/21, 4th Engineer Regiment
Communications Detachment, 8th Engineer Regiment
27th Infantry Division
Commander: Joseph Louis Alphonse Baret
53rd Infantry Brigade
75th Infantry Regiment
140th Infantry Regiment
Glenoble Mountain Group
14th Mountain Infantry Battalion
2nd Battery, 1st Mountain Artillery Regiment
54th Infantry Brigade
52nd Infantry Regiment
Draguignan Mountain Group
7th Mountain Infantry Battalion
2nd Battery, 2nd Mountain Artillery Regiment
5th Squadron, 9th Light Horse Regiment
2nd Field Artillery Regiment
Company 14/1, 4th Engineer Regiment
28th Infantry Division
Commander: Henri Putz
55th Infantry Brigade
22nd Infantry Regiment
99th Infantry Regiment
56th Infantry Brigade
30th Infantry Regiment
Annecy Mountain Group
11th Mountain Infantry Battalion
3rd Battery, 1st Mountain Artillery Regiment
9th Squadron, 9th Light Horse Regiment
54th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 14/2, 4th Engineer Regiment
XXI Corps
Commander: Émile Edmond Legrand-Girarde
Corps troops
57th Light Infantry Battalion
60th Light Infantry Battalion
61st Light Infantry Battalion
4th Light Horse Regiment
59th Field Artillery Regiment
13th Infantry Division
Commander: Frédéric Edmond Bourdériat
25th Infantry Brigade
17th Infantry Regiment
17th Light Infantry Battalion
20th Light Infantry Battalion
21st Light Infantry Battalion
26th Infantry Brigade
21st Infantry Regiment
109th Infantry Regiment
5th Squadron, 4th Light Horse Regiment
62nd Field Artillery Regiment
Company 21/1, 11th Engineer Regiment
43rd Infantry Division
Commander: Pierre Lanquetot
85th Infantry Brigade
158th Infantry Regiment
149th Infantry Regiment
86th Infantry Brigade
1st Light Infantry Battalion
3rd Light Infantry Battalion
10th Light Infantry Battalion
31st Light Infantry Battalion
6th Squadron, 4th Light Horse Regiment
12th Field Artillery Regiment
Company 21/2, 11th Engineer Regiment
Joseph Joffre
In addition to the five field armies, the Chief of the General Staff, General Joseph Joffre , had several large formations at his disposal on other fronts, or as a reserve.
Sordet Cavalry Corps
Commander: André Sordet
1st Cavalry Division
Commander: Buisson
2nd Cuirassier Brigade
1st Cuirassier Regiment
2nd Cuirassier Regiment
5th Dragoon Brigade
6th Dragoon Regiment
23rd Dragoon Regiment
11th Dragoon Brigade
27th Dragoon Regiment
32nd Dragoon Regiment
1st Cyclist Group, 26th Light Infantry Battalion
4th Group, 13th Field Artillery Regiment
Cyclist Engineers, 1st Engineer Regiment
3rd Cavalry Division
Commander: Dor de Lastours
4th Cuirassier Brigade
4th Cuirassier Regiment
9th Cuirassier Regiment
13th Dragoon Brigade
5th Dragoon Regiment
21st Dragoon Regiment
3rd Light Cavalry Brigade
3rd Hussar Regiment
8th Hussar Regiment
3rd Cyclist Group, 18th Light Infantry Battalion
4th Group, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment
Cyclist Engineers, 3rd Engineer Regiment
5th Cavalry Division
Commander: Bridoux
3rd Dragoon Brigade
16th Dragoon Regiment
22nd Dragoon Regiment
7th Dragoon Brigade
9th Dragoon Regiment
29th Dragoon Regiment
5th Light Cavalry Brigade
5th Light Horse Regiment
15th Light Horse Regiment
5th Cyclist Group, 29th Light Infantry Battalion
4th Group, 61st Field Artillery Regiment
Cyclist Engineers, 9th Engineer Regiment
1st Group of Reserve Divisions
Commander: Louis Archinard
58th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: César Besset
115th Infantry Brigade
229th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
256th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
334th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
116th Infantry Brigade
213th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
285th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
295th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
5th & 6th Squadrons, 26th Dragoon Regiment
17th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
29th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
42nd Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 13/2, 19/2, and 24/2, 3rd Engineer Regiment
63rd Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Gustave Lombard
125th Infantry Brigade
216th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
238th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
298th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
126th Infantry Brigade
292nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
305th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
321st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
5th & 6th Squadrons, 14th Dragoon Regiment
16th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
36th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
53rd Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 13/13, 19/13, and 24/13, 4th Engineer Regiment
66th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Voirhaye
131st Infantry Brigade
280th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
281st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
296th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
132nd Infantry Brigade
215th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
253rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
343rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
5th & 6th Squadrons, 19th Dragoon Regiment
3rd Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
9th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
56th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 13/16, 19/16, and 24/16, 2nd Engineer Regiment
4th Group of Reserve Divisions
Commander: Mardochée Valabrègue
51st Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: René Boutegourd
101st Infantry Brigade
233rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
243rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
327th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
102nd Infantry Brigade
208th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
273rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
310th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
5th & 6th Squadrons, 4th Cuirassier Regiment
15th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
27th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
41st Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 13/1 and 24/1, 3rd Engineer Regiment
Company 20/22, 1st Engineer Regiment
53rd Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Louis Loyzeau de Grandmaison
105th Infantry Brigade
205th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
236th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
319th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
106th Infantry Brigade
224th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
226th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
329th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
5th & 6th Squadrons, 27th Dragoon Regiment
11th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
22nd Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
43rd Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 13/3, 19/3, and 24/3, 3rd Engineer Regiment
69th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Pierre Berdoulat
137th Infantry Brigade
287th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
306th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
332nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
138th Infantry Brigade
251st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
254th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
267th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
5th & 6th Squadrons, 5th Dragoon Regiment
46th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
28th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
44th Field Artillery Regiment (one battery)
29th Field Artillery Regiment (one battery)
50th Field Artillery Regiment (one battery)
Companies 13/22, 19/22, and 22/22, 1st Engineer Regiment
Army of Africa
The Army of Africa (corresponding to the 19th Military Region) represents the four divisions raised in Africa and sent to metropolitan France.
37th Infantry Division
Commander: Louis Comby
73rd Infantry Brigade
2nd Zouaves Marching Regiment (3 battalions)
2nd Tirailleurs Marching Regiment (2 battalions)
5th Tirailleurs Marching Regiment (1 battalion)
6th Tirailleurs Marching Regiment (2 battalions)
74th Infantry Brigade
3rd Zouaves Marching Regiment (3 battalions)
3rd Tirailleurs Marching Regiment (3 battalions)
7th Tirailleurs Marching Regiment (1 battalion)
4th Squadron, 6th African Light Horse Regiment
1st, 2nd, and 3rd African Artillery Groups
Companies 8/17 and 8/22, 4th Engineer Regiment
Company 19/1, 19th Engineer Battalion
Transmission Detachment, 8th Engineer Regiment
38th Infantry Division
Commander: Jean-Marie Brulard
75th Infantry Brigade
1st Zouaves Marching Regiment (3 battalions)
1st Tirailleurs Marching Regiment (1 battalion)
9th Tirailleurs Marching Regiment (2 battalions)
76th Infantry Brigade
4th Zouaves Marching Regiment (4 battalions)
4th Tirailleurs Marching Regiment (2 battalions)
8th Tirailleurs Marching Regiment (2 battalions)
4th Squadron, 5th African Light Horse Regiment
32nd Field Artillery Regiment (3 groups)
Company 19/2, 19th Engineer Battalion
Company 1/25, 3rd Engineer Regiment
Moroccan Division
Commander: Hubert Lyautey
1st Moroccan Brigade
1st Colonial Marching Regiment
1st Zouaves Marching Regiment
2nd Infantry Brigade
5th East Moroccan Tirailleurs Regiment
2nd West Moroccan Tirailleurs Regiment
9th Light Horse Regiment (2 squadrons)
8th African Artillery Group (1 battery)
9th African Artillery Group (1 battery)
Moroccan Colonial Artillery Group (2 battery)
4th African Artillery Group (2 batteries)
Company 19/2, 2nd Engineer Regiment
45th Infantry Division
Commander: Antoine Drude
89th Infantry Brigade
1st Zouaves Marching Regiment (2 battalions)
4th Zouaves Marching Regiment (1 battalion)
3rd Zouaves Marching Regiment (3 battalions)
90th Infantry Brigade
2nd Zouaves Marching Regiment (3 battalions)
1st Algerian Tirailleurs Marching Regiment (1 battalion)
2nd Algerian Tirailleurs Marching Regiment (1 battalion)
8th Algerian Tirailleurs Marching Regiment (1 battalion)
1st Regiment, African Light Horse (two squadrons)
2nd Regiment, African Light Horse (two squadrons)
5th Battery, 3rd African Artillery Group
1st Battery, 1st African Artillery Group
2nd Battery, 2nd African Artillery Group
Company 17/1, Moroccan Engineer Regiment
North-East Mobile Defence
Four reserve divisions were assigned to provide a mobile reserve in the defence of the fortresses of Verdun , Toul , Épinal and Belfort .
57th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Bernard
113th Infantry Brigade
235th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
242nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
260th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
114th Infantry Brigade
244th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
371st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
372nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
41st Light Infantry Battalion
11th Dragoon Regiment (one squadron)
13th Dragoon Regiment (one squadron)
5th Field Artillery Regiment (two groups)
47th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 1/22 and 21/22, 1st Engineer Regiment
71st Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Joseph Kaufmant
141st Infantry Brigade
349th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
358th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
370th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
142nd Infantry Brigade
217th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
221st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
309th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
5th and 6th Squadrons, 12th Hussar Regiment
4th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
62nd Field Artillery Regiment (two groups)
Companies 1/22 and 21/22, 22nd Engineer Battalion
72nd Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Jules Heymann
143rd Infantry Brigade
351st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
362nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
144th Infantry Brigade
364th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
365th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
366th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
2nd Hussar Regiment (one squadron)
4th Hussar Regiment (one squadron)
61st Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
59th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
11th Field Artillery Regiment (one battery)
41st Field Artillery Regiment (one battery)
45th Field Artillery Regiment (one battery)
Companies 1/25 and 21/25, 25th Engineer Battalion
73rd Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Marie Joseph Châtelain
145th Infantry Brigade
346th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
353rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
356th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
146th Infantry Brigade
367th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
368th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
369th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
4th Dragoon Regiment (one squadron)
12th Dragoon Regiment (one squadron)
12th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
39th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
37th Field Artillery Regiment (one battery)
49th Field Artillery Regiment (one battery)
57th Field Artillery Regiment (one battery)
Companies 1/26, 3/26, and 21/26, 26th Engineer Battalion
Army of the Alps
Commander: Albert d'Amade
The Army of the Alps was formed from units mobilised in the 14th (Lyon) and 15th (Marseille) military regions to defend the border with Italy, who was a member of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary.
44th Infantry Division
Commander: Soyer
88th Infantry Brigade
97th Infantry Regiment
159th Infantry Regiment
89th Infantry Brigade
157th Infantry Regiment
163rd Infantry Regiment
4th Squadron, 4th African Horse Regiment
6th Field Artillery Regiment (two batteries)
9th Field Artillery Regiment (one battery)
38th Field Artillery Regiment (two batteries)
53rd Field Artillery Regiment (one battery)
57th Field Artillery Regiment (one battery)
58th Field Artillery Regiment (one battery)
Companies 14/13, 14/16, and 14/22, 4th Engineer Regiment
64th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Hollender
127th Infantry Brigade
275th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
340th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
52nd Mountain Infantry Battalion
68th Mountain Infantry Battalion
70th Mountain Infantry Battalion
128th Infantry Brigade
252nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
286th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
339th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
13th Light Horse Regiment (two squadrons)
1st Mountain Artillery Regiment (two groups)
2nd Mountain Artillery Regiment (one group)
Company 14/8, 8th Engineer Battalion
65th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Brice Adrien Bizot
129th Infantry Brigade
311th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
312th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
46th Mountain Infantry Battalion
64th Mountain Infantry Battalion
67th Mountain Infantry Battalion
130th Infantry Brigade
203rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
341st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
47th Mountain Infantry Battalion
63rd Mountain Infantry Battalion
11th Hussar Regiment (two squadrons)
55th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
2nd Mountain Artillery Regiment (two groups)
Companies 11/15 and 24/15, 15th Engineer Battalion
74th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Bigot
147th Infantry Brigade
222nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
299th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
53rd Mountain Infantry Battalion
54th Mountain Infantry Battalion
148th Infantry Brigade
223rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
230th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
333rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
51st Mountain Infantry Battalion
62nd Mountain Infantry Battalion
2nd Dragoon Regiment (two squadrons)
54th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
1st Mountain Artillery Regiment (two groups (2+3 batteries))
Company 14/13, 13th Engineer Battalion
75th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Henri Vimard
149th Infantry Brigade
240th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
258th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
150th Infantry Brigade
255th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
261st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
13th Light Horse Regiment (two squadrons)
19th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
38th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
2nd Mountain Artillery Regiment (one group)
Company 15/12, 7th Engineer Regiment
91st Territorial Infantry Division
Commander: Paul Lacroisade
181st Territorial Infantry Brigade
129th Territorial Infantry Regiment
130th Territorial Infantry Regiment
182nd Territorial Infantry Brigade
132nd Territorial Infantry Regiment
134th Territorial Infantry Regiment
135th Territorial Infantry Regiment
10th Dragoon Regiment (two squadrons)
57th Field Artillery Regiment (two groups)
Company 17/1T, 2nd Engineer Regiment
Adolphe Messimy
Plan XVII provided for several large units to be at the disposal of the Minister of War, Adolphe Messimy . These units were gradually transferred to the Chief of the General Staff, General Joseph Joffre .
67th Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Henry Marabail
133rd Infantry Brigade
211st Infantry Regiment (reserve)
214th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
220th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
134th Infantry Brigade
259th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
283rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
288th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
10th Dragoon Regiment (two squadrons)
18th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
23rd Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
57th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 13/16, 19/16, and 24/16, 2nd Engineer Regiment
Military Governor of Paris
Commander: Victor-Constant Michel
61st Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Paul Virvaire
121st Infantry Brigade
264th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
265th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
316th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
122nd Infantry Brigade
318th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
219th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
262nd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
2nd Light Horse Regiment (two squadrons)
28th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
35th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
51st Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 11/13, 11/19 and 11/24, 5th Engineer Regiment
62nd Reserve Infantry Division
Commander: Marie François Caneval
123rd Infantry Brigade
263rd Infantry Regiment (reserve)
278th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
338th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
124th Infantry Brigade
250th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
307th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
308th Infantry Regiment (reserve)
20th Dragoon Regiment (two squadrons)
21st Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
34th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
52nd Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Companies 13/12, 19/12, and 24/12, 6th Engineer Regiment
83rd Territorial Infantry Division
Commander: Charles Groth
165th Territorial Infantry Brigade
29th Territorial Infantry Regiment
30th Territorial Infantry Regiment
166th Territorial Infantry Brigade
31st Territorial Infantry Regiment
32nd Territorial Infantry Regiment
1st Light Horse Regiment (two squadrons)
45th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
84th Territorial Infantry Division
Commander: Henri de Ferron
167th Territorial Infantry Brigade
25th Territorial Infantry Regiment
26th Territorial Infantry Regiment
168th Territorial Infantry Brigade
27th Territorial Infantry Regiment
28th Territorial Infantry Regiment
14th Hussar Regiment (two squadrons)
44th Field Artillery Regiment (two groups)
Company 4/1T, 4th Engineer Regiment
85th Territorial Infantry Division
Commander: Tell Aristide Frédéric Antoine Chapel
169th Territorial Infantry Brigade
65th Territorial Infantry Regiment
66th Territorial Infantry Regiment
170th Territorial Infantry Brigade
67th Territorial Infantry Regiment
68th Territorial Infantry Regiment
7th Hussar Regiment (two squadrons)
32nd Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Company 4/14T and 5/2T, 1st Engineer Regiment
86th Territorial Infantry Division
Commander: Raymond Mayniel
171st Territorial Infantry Brigade
69th Territorial Infantry Regiment
70th Territorial Infantry Regiment
172nd Territorial Infantry Brigade
71st Territorial Infantry Regiment
72nd Territorial Infantry Regiment
25th Dragoon Regiment (two squadrons)
49th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
89th Territorial Infantry Division
Commander: Louis Penaud
177th Territorial Infantry Brigade
89th Territorial Infantry Regiment
90th Territorial Infantry Regiment
178th Territorial Infantry Brigade
93rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
94th Territorial Infantry Regiment
21st Light Horse Regiment (two squadrons)
52nd Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Isolated Divisions
Six territorial infantry divisions were initially used to provide defence of the north-east coast from possible German naval landing, and to guard the Spanish border. As these threats receded, these divisions were gradually moved towards the frontline.
81st Territorial Infantry Division
Commander: Louis Marcot
161st Territorial Infantry Brigade
11th Territorial Infantry Regiment
12th Territorial Infantry Regiment
162nd Territorial Infantry Brigade
14th Territorial Infantry Regiment
16th Territorial Infantry Regiment
9th Cuirassier Regiment
29th Field Artillery Regiment (two groups)
Company 2/1T, 1st Engineer Regiment
82nd Territorial Infantry Division
Commander: Charles Vigy
163rd Territorial Infantry Brigade
17th Territorial Infantry Regiment
18th Territorial Infantry Regiment
164th Territorial Infantry Brigade
21st Territorial Infantry Regiment
22nd Territorial Infantry Regiment
7th Light Horse Regiment (two squadrons)
11th Field Artillery Regiment (two groups)
Company 3/1T, 3rd Engineer Regiment
87th Territorial Infantry Division
Commander: Roy
173rd Territorial Infantry Brigade
73rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
74th Territorial Infantry Regiment
174th Territorial Infantry Brigade
76th Territorial Infantry Regiment
79th Territorial Infantry Regiment
80th Territorial Infantry Regiment
185th Territorial Infantry Brigade
75th Territorial Infantry Regiment
78th Territorial Infantry Regiment
24th Dragoon Regiment (two squadrons)
49th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
50th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Company 10/3T, 6th Engineer Regiment
88th Territorial Infantry Division
Commander: Dennery
175th Territorial Infantry Brigade
81st Territorial Infantry Regiment
82nd Territorial Infantry Regiment
176th Territorial Infantry Brigade
83rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
84th Territorial Infantry Regiment
3rd Dragoon Regiment (two squadrons)
20th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
28th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
Company 11/3T, 6th Engineer Regiment
90th Territorial Infantry Division
Commander: Jules Bunoust
179th Territorial Infantry Brigade
125th Territorial Infantry Regiment
126th Territorial Infantry Regiment
180th Territorial Infantry Brigade
127th Territorial Infantry Regiment
128th Territorial Infantry Regiment
1st Hussar Regiment (two squadrons)
9th Field Artillery Regiment (one group)
one company, 13th Territorial Engineer Battalion
92th Territorial Infantry Division
Commander: Henri Eugène Calvel
183rd Territorial Infantry Brigade
141st Territorial Infantry Regiment
142nd Territorial Infantry Regiment
184th Territorial Infantry Brigade
143rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
144th Territorial Infantry Regiment
10th Hussar Regiment (two squadrons)
14th Field Artillery Regiment (two groups)
Company 18/1T, 2nd Engineer Regiment
Territorial Units
In addition to the territorial infantry divisions, many independent regiments and other units were formed.
Infantry
1st Military Region
1st Territorial Infantry Regiment
2nd Territorial Infantry Regiment
3rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
4th Territorial Infantry Regiment
5th Territorial Infantry Regiment
6th Territorial Infantry Regiment
7th Territorial Infantry Regiment
8th Territorial Infantry Regiment
2nd Military Region
9th Territorial Infantry Regiment
10th Territorial Infantry Regiment
13th Territorial Infantry Regiment
15th Territorial Infantry Regiment
3rd Military Region
19th Territorial Infantry Regiment
20th Territorial Infantry Regiment
23rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
24th Territorial Infantry Regiment
4th Military Region
33rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
34th Territorial Infantry Regiment
35th Territorial Infantry Regiment
36th Territorial Infantry Regiment
5th Military Region
37th Territorial Infantry Regiment
38th Territorial Infantry Regiment
39th Territorial Infantry Regiment
40th Territorial Infantry Regiment
6th Military Region
41st Territorial Infantry Regiment
42nd Territorial Infantry Regiment
43rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
44th Territorial Infantry Regiment
45th Territorial Infantry Regiment
46th Territorial Infantry Regiment
47th Territorial Infantry Regiment
48th Territorial Infantry Regiment
49th Territorial Infantry Regiment
50th Territorial Infantry Regiment
51st Territorial Infantry Regiment
52nd Territorial Infantry Regiment
7th Military Region
53rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
54th Territorial Infantry Regiment
55th Territorial Infantry Regiment
56th Territorial Infantry Regiment
57th Territorial Infantry Regiment
8th Military Region
58th Territorial Infantry Regiment
59th Territorial Infantry Regiment
60th Territorial Infantry Regiment
61st Territorial Infantry Regiment
62nd Territorial Infantry Regiment
63rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
64th Territorial Infantry Regiment
9th Military Region
All regiments were assigned to territorial infantry divisions
10th Military Region
77th Territorial Infantry Regiment
85th Territorial Infantry Regiment
86th Territorial Infantry Regiment
87th Territorial Infantry Regiment
88th Territorial Infantry Regiment
11th Military Region
All regiments were assigned to territorial infantry divisions
12th Military Region
91st Territorial Infantry Regiment
92nd Territorial Infantry Regiment
95th Territorial Infantry Regiment
96th Territorial Infantry Regiment
13th Military Region
97th Territorial Infantry Regiment
98th Territorial Infantry Regiment
99th Territorial Infantry Regiment
100th Territorial Infantry Regiment
101st Territorial Infantry Regiment
102nd Territorial Infantry Regiment
103rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
104th Territorial Infantry Regiment
14th Military Region
105th Territorial Infantry Regiment
106th Territorial Infantry Regiment
107th Territorial Infantry Regiment
108th Territorial Infantry Regiment
109th Territorial Infantry Regiment
110th Territorial Infantry Regiment
111th Territorial Infantry Regiment
112th Territorial Infantry Regiment
15th Military Region
113rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
114th Territorial Infantry Regiment
115th Territorial Infantry Regiment
116th Territorial Infantry Regiment
117th Territorial Infantry Regiment
118th Territorial Infantry Regiment
119th Territorial Infantry Regiment
120th Territorial Infantry Regiment
16th Military Region
121st Territorial Infantry Regiment
122nd Territorial Infantry Regiment
123rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
124th Territorial Infantry Regiment
17th Military Region
131st Territorial Infantry Regiment
133rd Territorial Infantry Regiment
136th Territorial Infantry Regiment
18th Military Region
137th Territorial Infantry Regiment
138th Territorial Infantry Regiment
139th Territorial Infantry Regiment
140th Territorial Infantry Regiment
Cavalry
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 1st Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 1st Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 2nd Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 2nd Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 3rd Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 3rd Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 4th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 4th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 5th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 5th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 6th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 7th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 7th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 8th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 8th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 9th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 9th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 10th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 10th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 11th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 11th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 12th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 12th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 13th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 13th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 14th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 14th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 15th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 15th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 16th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 16th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 17th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 17th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 18th Region
Territorial Light Cavalry Squadron of the 18th Region
Territorial Dragoon Squadron of the 20th Region
Artillery
Territorial Group, 1st Foot Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 2nd Foot Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 3rd Foot Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 4th Foot Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 5th Foot Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 6th Foot Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 7th Foot Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 8th Foot Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 9th Foot Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 10th Foot Artillery Regiment
Territorial Battalion, 10th Foot Artillery Regiment
two Territorial Groups, 11th Foot Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 6th African Foot Artillery Group
Territorial Group, 1st Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 2nd Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 4th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 5th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 6th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 7th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 8th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 9th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 10th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 11th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 12th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 13th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 14th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 15th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 16th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 17th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 18th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 19th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 20th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 21st Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 22nd Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 23rd Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 24th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 25th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 26th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 27th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 28th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 29th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 30th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 31st Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 33rd Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 34th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 35th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 36th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 37th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 38th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 39th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 40th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 41st Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 43rd Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 44th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 45th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 46th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 47th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 48th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 49th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 50th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 51st Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 52nd Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 53rd Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 54th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 55th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 56th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 57th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 58th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 59th Field Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 1st Mountain Artillery Regiment
Territorial Group, 2nd Mountain Artillery Regiment
Static Cannon Battalion, Lille
Engineer
1st Territorial Engineer Battalion
2nd Territorial Engineer Battalion
3rd Territorial Engineer Battalion
4th Territorial Engineer Battalion
5th Territorial Engineer Battalion
6th Territorial Engineer Battalion
7th Territorial Engineer Battalion
8th Territorial Engineer Battalion
9th Territorial Engineer Battalion
10th Territorial Engineer Battalion
11th Territorial Engineer Battalion
12th Territorial Engineer Battalion
13th Territorial Engineer Battalion
14th Territorial Engineer Battalion
15th Territorial Engineer Battalion
16th Territorial Engineer Battalion
17th Territorial Engineer Battalion
18th Territorial Engineer Battalion
20th Territorial Engineer Battalion
21st Territorial Engineer Battalion
Logistics
1st Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
2nd Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
3rd Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
4th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
5th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
6th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
7th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
8th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
9th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
10th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
11th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
12th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
13th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
14th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
15th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
16th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
17th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
18th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
19th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
20th Territorial Squadron, Military Baggage Train
Clerks and Workers
1st Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
2nd Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
3rd Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
4th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
5th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
6th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
7th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
8th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
9th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
10th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
11th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
12th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
13th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
14th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
15th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
16th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
17th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
18th Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
22nd Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
23rd Territorial Squadron, Military Administration
Military Nurses
1st Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
2nd Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
3rd Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
4th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
5th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
6th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
7th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
8th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
9th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
10th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
11th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
12th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
13th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
14th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
15th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
15th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
16th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
17th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
18th Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses
23rd Territorial Squadron, Military Nurses