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Dirtdog20 -> RE: Found what I was looking for Gentlemen (7/25/2004 1:06:22 AM)
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Even after the start of the war the general assumption was that the reservists that were recalled would be garrison troops. The French thought very poorly of thier reseves and thought that the German reservists would be of a simular caliber. When the French discovered that the Germans were not only using the reservists in active operations but were using them in the lead of the attack they were completely flabergasted.
The assumption up to this point counting bodies on active duty and expected frontages would place the flank of the German wing in Belgum hanging wide open. Michel's plan was to form a huge army and poise it to move into Belgum ahead of the German sweep and roll up the German line from that flank. The groups of Corps in front of the "Lost Providences" would hold the Germans there allowing the huge flanking movent to take effect. This of course was sacrilige to the official policy, and spirit of the nation, regarding the "Lost Providences". Adding to the continuing internal fighting over the Dreyfus case, which Michel had managed to avoid, also left him with out friends on both sides and hence his resignation from the Army.
Michel had an idea that the Germans were going to invade France through Belgum by the use of truck transported troops during the yearly wargames. Michel deduced that the Belgian plains were the only place that truck borne infantry could be used effectively, hence his submision of the plan to invade Belgum in an attempt to quote General N.B. Forrest "get there first with the most"
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