Military historians have assumed that the French lost the first battles of the First World War because they launched suicidal bayonet charges against German machine guns. Therefore, for nearly a century, these battles have been considered uninteresting. In reality, these were some of the most important, hard-fought and instructive battles of the First World War. This is the first history of this battle and is based on groundbreaking research conducted at French and German army archives. It also makes use of neglected French and German books and articles, as well as German regimental histories, and includes personal accounts by participants such as Manfred von Richthoven (when he was still a cavalry lieutenant) and the young Erwin Rommel. The battle of the frontiers presents a dramatically new perspective on combat in 1914.

German tactics and training -- Mobilisation, war plans, deployment, and approach march -- Rossignol -- Bellefontaine -- Neufchâteau -- Bertrix -- Maissin-Anloy -- Virton -- Éthe and Bleid -- Longwy -- The battle south of Longwy -- Conclusions -- Appendix: Laws of war -- Glossary -- German order of battle -- French order of battle.