Fallen French captain in a field on the Marne, ca. September 1914.

Today 109 years ago, August 22, 1914, is known for the French Army suffering 27,000 deaths on the Western Front.

The bloodshed happened during the Battle of the Frontiers, the initial phase of the Western Front. The French attacked uncoordinated some 15 different times across the front on August 22, 1914, though it was mainly in the Battles of Rossignol, Charleroi and the the Ardennes that the losses occurred.

The French suffered immense casualties by advancing en masse across open terrain in broad daylight with minimal artillery support, wearing extremely visible dark blue and red uniforms into German machine-guns and artillery, deploying outdated 19th century tactics.

The French military doctrine was that enough "offensive spirit" could overcome any defense. This led to the French infantry recklessly but uselessly charging into certain death.

Following the doctrine, the French officers refused to retreat during battle, preferring to suffer the heroic death, even though it would lead to certain defeat and heavy casualties.

This would make August 22, 1914 the deadliest day for any single nation in the First World War, surpassing the infamous British death tally of 19,240 on July 1, 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

However, the "Mémoire des Hommes" website (by the official French Ministry of Arms) have conducted more recent casualty counts, and have estimated the French death tally of August 22, 1914 too high: as of today, they estimate French deaths at 21,072.

Additionally, they have found the French death tally for September 25, 1915, the first day of the Second Battle of Champagne and Third Battle of Artois, to be, as of today, 23,567 French deaths.

If the Mémoire des Hommes is to be trusted, this would mean, prior to most historians' and my own knowledge until recently, that September 25, 1915 is in fact the deadliest day for any single nation in the First World War.

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