Bazaine was apparently without intelligent strategic plans.
"A History of the Third French Republic"
C. H. C. Wright
They only saw strategic positions, avenues of approach and tactical advantages.
"For Every Man A Reason"
Patrick Wilkins
In the early days of this year they made a strategic retreat, under the guidance of Hindenburg, with the one object of escaping from our intense artillery-fire, but their methods of defence have been entirely changed by holding the front lines lightly by weak troops and scattered machine-gun emplacements, and concentrating their best troops behind for counter-attacks, in order to save man-power and lessen the tide of casualties.
"From Bapaume to Passchendaele, 1917"
Philip Gibbs