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Since 1918 historians have considered Plan XVII the embodiment of French strategy in 1914 and have seen French thinkers such as Ardant du Picq and Ferdinand Foch as providing the primary intellectual force behind the offensive a outrance. A more careful examination of French documents and experience, however, leads one to a different view of French strategy and the sources of their strategic thinking and doctrine. In reality Plan XVII was nothing more than a concentration plan and an expression of alternatives, and French strategy in 1914 was devised and controlled personally by General Joseph Joffre. Just as Joffre dominated the formulations of strategy, he also dominated the development of French doctrine and more so than any other person was the "father" of offensive a outrance.

Joffre
To understand Joffre's influence over French strategy and doctrine, it is necessary to recall the political and strategic environment in July 1911 when he was appointed Chief of the General......

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Approximate Word Count: 483
Approximate Pages: 2 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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