22 – Episode 17 Plan
Paris, France.
On August 15, 1914, while Russia and Germany were on the verge of clashing on the Eastern Front, France was also preparing an offensive to influence the overall situation.
“The fate of the French nation rests on the General’s shoulders.”
“Do not worry, Your Highness.”
The person who was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the largest army in French history, in the face of the fateful confrontation with Germany, was General Joseph Jacques Cézère Joffre.
Born in 1852, this veteran soldier in his 60s had accumulated rich combat experience through the Franco-Prussian War, the Sino-French War, the Tonkin Campaign, and the Madagascar Expedition since his commissioning in 1870.
However, it was difficult to answer whether General Joffre was the best Chief of Staff that France could choose.
When Minister of War Adolphe Messimy dismissed General Victor-Constant Michel as Chief of Staff in 1911, Joffre was not considered as his successor.
He wanted to nominate Joseph Simón Gallieni or Paul Marie César Pau, both of whom had more experience and a better understanding of the tasks of the Supreme Command.
But they were not appointed due to political inclinations or the refusal of the individuals involved, and Joffre was chosen as an alternative.
Joffre himself was aware that he had been appointed as a “substitute”.
“I am not a substitute. It is the best for this country.”
To prove that his name, “Choi Seon,” was the best, he had vigorously prepared for the Great War with Daedokil over the past three years.
Considering invading Belgium, which would not be politically tolerated, and modifying the newly established 17 plans over 18 months, were all part of his efforts.
Choipru believed that when the meticulously refined plans of his term came to fruition, his honor would be rewarded.
But unexpectedly, the war broke out.
“This is an opportunity.”
Choipru’s body was filled with anticipation to execute the operation he had diligently prepared. Since the French government had already issued a mobilization order before the war broke out, the 17 plans were thoroughly prepared.
In addition, Kaiser’s cancellation of the Schlieffen Plan helped Choipru.
If the Schlieffen Plan had been executed, the French army, which was attacking Alsace-Lorraine, would have been countered by the German army bypassing Belgium.
Choipru belatedly realized this fact and let out a relieved sigh.
“That idiot helped us.”
Now, France had created a situation where it could launch an offensive without any risk burden.
That’s why Choipru was confident in the success of his operation. It was not unreasonable for him to show his confidence.
The size of the French army mobilized for the 17 plans was equivalent to four field armies. Except for the four armies left on the Belgian border, pouring all the available power into the main front in the early stages of the war was no different.
“When Russia launches an offensive, we must also attack in unison. Even if the Germans fight well, what can they do if we attack from both sides?”
The key commanders who attended the meeting held at the Supreme Headquarters also supported Choipru’s offensive plan.
Advocates of excessive attack like Ferdinand Foch argued that they should trample the entire western bank of the Rhine River at this opportunity.
The reason the military leadership was so confident was because of the lessons learned from the Franco-Prussian War.
44 years ago, during the Franco-Prussian War, the Prussian army concentrated more troops in the Rhineland than the French. At that time, the Germans used the numerical superiority they had secured to defeat the French army and gain the upper hand.
Now, in this reversed situation, France had the opportunity to exercise its dominance by concentrating superior forces. The Germans had nothing to believe in except the advantage of being on the defensive.
In addition, the Republican Army had the proactive attacking spirit that Napoleon III’s French army did not possess.
However, not all commanders responded to the aggressive 17th plan. Figures like General Bonneau, commander of the 7th Corps, found the idea of launching an offensive against Germany inappropriate.
“An offensive from us! Ridiculous!”
They argued that if they were to engage in a war of attrition against Germany, which had overwhelming population and industrial power, the army would not be able to withstand the losses.
In fact, considering Germany’s advanced railway industry, it was obvious that reinforcement troops would arrive as soon as the situation became slightly unfavorable.
This was why opponents of the offensive saw it as a dangerous move.
Of course, Joffre had no intention of launching an attack immediately.
The defense along the Franco-German border was formidable enough to consider a detour through “Belgium” in the 16th plan.
German fortresses like the Metz Gate and the Joffre Fortress, which took six years to build, were heavily fortified in the Alsace-Lorraine region and the Meuse River valley.
In a battlefield with limited mobility, there was bound to be significant losses.
Joffre was aware of the advantages of the defenders, so he planned to synchronize the offensive with Russia if possible.
“If blood is to be shed, it should be shared with Russia. Politicians will be reluctant if the sacrifices are too great.”
Before long, the decision was made according to Joffre’s intentions.
Retired generals who returned to active duty due to the expansion of the French army had no intention of opposing the will of the practical supreme commander.
With the consent of the generals, Joffre tentatively set the third week of August as the start of the 17th plan. The first saturation point on the Western Front was Alsace-Lorraine, the homeland lost in the Franco-Prussian War 40 years ago.
From Noble mtl dot com
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August 18, 1914, Reichsland Lorraine, German Empire.
Joffre, who had been preparing for the offensive for a long time, finally launched the 17th plan. If he had the determination, he could have implemented it sooner, but Joffre did not.
He chose a delicate moment when it would be difficult for the German army’s main force to turn back to France towards the Eastern Front.
Leading the offensive were the 1st and 2nd armies commanded by Auguste Dubois and de Castelnau.
As the well-prepared large-scale artillery opened fire, the neatly manicured vineyards, farms, and fences along the border were mercilessly destroyed. Although civilians had evacuated before the fighting began, their properties could not be spared.
After 30 minutes of preparatory shelling, the French army orderly deployed its infantry divisions. The small number of German troops deployed along the border showed formal resistance before swiftly retreating to the rear.
This was by no means unusual.
Even in the small-scale mobile attack that was launched towards the Jura region before activating Plan 17, the German troops did not put up strong resistance.
In just one day, the target, Sarrebourg, fell into the hands of the French army.
Having been a firm territory of France since the 17th century, but lost during the Franco-Prussian War, the recapture of this historic city was a source of great pride for the French commanders.
“I will send the Rhine River flowing through the pipes, Your Excellency.”
Auguste Dubois exuberantly informed General Joffre that next week they could go fishing in the Rhine River.
Joffre did not share Dubois’ optimism.
“What matters is not the recapture of territory, but the complete annihilation of the enemy.”
Joffre’s intention was to push the German troops into the protrusion between the Metz Plateau and the Vosges Mountains, and thoroughly annihilate them.
By annihilating only the German troops, they could not only reclaim Alsace-Lorraine but also occupy Berlin.
Joffre sent a response to the generals, instructing them not to get too excited and to act according to the plan.
The first phase of the plan went relatively smoothly. Shortly after news of the fall of Sarrebourg reached them, reports came in that Mulhouse had been occupied, and the advance towards the Saar River was progressing smoothly.
Auguste Dubois did not take Joffre’s concerns seriously.
“I don’t understand what the commander is so worried about when the German elite forces have withdrawn in large numbers to the east. Don’t we have the advantage in terms of troops?”
As the French army embarked on the execution of Plan 17, they had four army corps and 55 divisions. Including reserve units, the French army along the Franco-German border amounted to six army corps and 80 divisions.
Considering that the German forces, as detected through wireless interception, amounted to only three army corps and about 35 divisions, there was no reason to worry.
Auguste was confident that as long as the French army did not lose its leadership and act in a disorganized manner as it did during the Franco-Prussian War, they would never be defeated.
He also issued orders for the remaining cavalry corps, which had been kept as reserves, to move out.
The fierce advance of each frontline army towards the Rhine River now showed a competitive edge. Although the formidable German fortresses scattered throughout the area posed obstacles, with enough troops, there was no doubt they could be conquered.
“The first division to drink from the Rhine River will be ours.”
Occasionally, small German forces were defeated and their units captured, further boosting the momentum of the French army.
However, the joy of the French army did not last more than a day.
The French 20th division, which had reached Jarblucan, became the first sacrificial lamb.
In their attempt to attack the fortress from the side, they were met with a relentless baptism of shells. The German artillery, which had been eagerly awaiting the passage of the French army through the area from the beginning, was well-prepared.
To make matters worse, the German attack began just as dusk was falling. The French army hurriedly lit signal flares to identify the attackers. It was rare for the confused lights to hit the right spot.
Boom!
With every shell raining down like rain, the soldiers’ clothes and helmets flew into the sky. The sight of people turning into pieces of flesh and scattering everywhere was truly horrifying.
The soldiers, hastily hiding in trenches, vomited at the sight of the fragments of ‘what used to be people’ scattered around whenever the flames spread.
The German army did not just sit and defend.
Taking advantage of the confusion caused by the artillery barrage, they launched surprise attacks.
“Show the power of Germany to these cowardly chickens!”
“Germany! The greatest Germany in the world!”
The German assault unit armed with machine guns carried out a fierce offensive, supported by artillery fire.
If the French machine gun positions, hastily arranged in a hurry, had not been so well-coordinated, the German attack could have seriously endangered the French army. Fortunately, the machine guns displayed remarkable firepower.
The German infantry ultimately failed to suppress the French machine guns.
The barely cooled 1897-model 75mm field guns began to counterattack, but the German army responded by intensifying their artillery barrage.
“For heaven’s sake, how did our allies conduct reconnaissance?”
Corps commander Ferdinand Poch exploded in anger upon receiving the report from his subordinate division. Relying solely on the reconnaissance reports of the cavalry corps to advance quickly had backfired and caused bloodshed.
The Sorbe cavalry corps should have paid attention to the calm and composed attitude they displayed. It was a mistake to overlook it in their eagerness to advance quickly.
Foch came forward with his baton and personally assessed the situation on the front lines. The losses he observed were bearable.
“It would be best to resume the attack.”
Foch gave the order for another assault.
This time, the barrage from the heated corps artillery supported the infantry. Despite the German fortress guns spewing fire, it was not enough to stop the swarming French army, like a swarm of ants.
Boom!
A shell fell not far from Foch.
Although it was surprising, Foch nonchalantly shouted to his subordinates.
“Don’t hesitate. If you act pitifully, I’ll kick your ass.”
The general showed a confident attitude and encouraged his subordinates.
However, the German defense was formidable.
The most formidable obstacle was not the concrete bunkers, but the trenches that the infantry had dug. The German troops dug trenches two meters deep, placed barbed wire in front of them, and waited for the French army with their machine guns.
“Vive la France!”
The French soldiers shouted with enthusiasm as they bravely advanced, but their courage could not create any results.
Drrr. Drrr.
Every time the German machine guns intersected in a cross, the brave soldiers who rushed forward to the open ground became lifeless piles of flesh rolling on the ground.
“The artillery support is slow!”
Foch, who received the situation belatedly, became angry.
Indeed, stationary cannons had their limits.
When the infantry advanced, the artillery had to advance as well and provide moving barrages.
Otherwise, the infantry was powerless against the fortress.
After several hours of futile attempts, over 8,000 casualties were suffered by the 20th Division, and they retreated from Jurbulken.
The defensive strength of the renowned German fortress was truly formidable.
The armored bunkers of the fortress were destroyed, and countless soldiers died trying to defend the walls. The number of casualties required to conquer the fortress was incalculable.
“Damn it, we should have come here before they destroyed that damn fortification!”
Posch cursed.
It was not just Posch who was dumbfounded by the impregnable German defense lines.
Almost every unit that advanced into the mainland was stopped by German fortresses or fortifications. Even attempting to bypass them was impossible, as the fortresses were completely ignored.
“Are fortresses really that powerful?”
Jofre was shocked by the unimaginable number of casualties and the impregnability of the French defense.
In the past, Europeans had experienced the power of strong fortresses through the Siege of Lüttich during the Russo-Japanese War.
However, most of them dismissed it as a tragedy caused by the “inferior Japanese” who couldn’t use proper tactics and refused to accept it as a lesson. While they acknowledged that fortresses were strong, they believed that with the use of heavy artillery, there would always be a breakthrough. The Japanese were able to do it, after all.
Jofre was no exception. He also highly valued the strength of the Franco-German border, but he believed that with overwhelming numbers, there would be some breakthrough point.
Reality turned out differently. The German fortresses remained intact even as the French army exhausted themselves trying to break through, making it almost impossible to make any progress.
In that moment, Jofre realized why Kaiser chose a defensive strategy in the Great War.
This war was a war where the attacker would lose.
Jofre clenched his teeth in front of countless casualty reports.
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1) Commonly known as the “elan vital” of aggressive French doctrine.