The noted British military history scholar Richard Holmes makes the claim in his book "The Western Front" (accompanying the 1999 BBC documentary series with the same name) that "the armies of Europe went to war expecting heavy losses and intending to impose their will-power upon hostile firepower". This claim was preceeded by a discussion of pre-war doctrine, in particular on the French élan and the cult of the offensive, as well as lessons drawn from the Russo-Japanese War on the success of an offensive spirit vs entrenchment and defence. However, my understanding regarding the French doctrine change after the Franco-Prussian War had always been more focused on the will of the ordinary soldier to achieve victory and I have yet to find myself reading about European military commanders expecting heavy casualties from this. Is there any truth to this claim?