The French army opposing
this German front was under the supreme command of General Joffre.
The commanding officers in the various sectors of this front were
being continually changed, making it difficult to name the commanders
in each sector, except when some more or less noteworthy engagement
had taken place along the line. The battle front here described
did not materially change throughout the months of October, 1914,
to February 1, 1915. Continual engagements took place along this
entire front--a gain of a few yards here balanced by a loss of
a like distance elsewhere.
Both belligerents had securely intrenched themselves. The pickax
and spade were far more in use than the rifle, so that now cold
weather coming on, the soldiers on both sides of the front were
able to make the trenches quite comfortable. In many instances
they laid down plank floors and lined the walls with boards, put up
stoves, constructed sleeping bunks and tables, stools and benches,
and even decorated the rooms thus evolved with anything suitable for
the purpose. Pictures and photographs from home were the favorite
decorations. All this was impossible for their brethren in the north
and in Flanders, where the activities of the conflict subjected
the soldiers to continual changes and removals.
The main objective of the Germans was the French fortresses Belfort,
Epinal, Toul, and Verdun, for these obstructed the march to Paris.
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