ABSTRACT
In a war against Germany, France will in all probability limit itself initially to the defensive, especially if it cannot depend on effective support from Russia. To this end, France has long prepared a defensive line, for the most part permanent, in which the fortresses of Belfort, Épinal, Toul and Verdun are the main strong points [Hauptstützpunkte]. This line can be sufficiently occupied by the powerful French army, and it offers great difficulties to the attacker.2
