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Jeremy Vine recalls the events, voices and music of World War One.

The regions of Lorraine and Alsace have been fought over many times. During the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71, France lost the territory to Germany. These were regions that the French were desperate to regain in World War One.

The French outnumbered the Germans nearly two to one, yet the Germans had the strategic advantage of having to defend rather than attack.

The French ultimately lost this battle, but would reclaim these areas at the end of the war.