Prelude Battle_of_the_Trouée_de_Charmes
the french had suffered crushing defeat in battle of lorraine , retreating in disorder. situation left helmuth von moltke younger, chief of general staff of german army, difficult choice. apparent collapse of french second army made possible breakthrough @ trouée de charmes , encirclement of french troops in lorraine , ardennes. moltke decided pursue french , break through trouée. maintained left wing @ full strength of 26 divisions , ordered bavarian 6th army (general rupprecht, crown prince of bavaria) attack @ junction of french second , first armies (general auguste dubail).
castelnau, second army regrouping in trouée de charmes area, learned deuxième bureau (military intelligence), german columns moving saffais , bechamps , heading gap , few hours later french aerial observers spotted german troops. joseph joffre, french commander in chief, directed general dubail reinforce second army viii corps.
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