1904 Prosper Péchot explained to the students of the Ponts et Chaussées engineering school the French military doctrine applying to 60cm gauge field railways. It foresaw its use in the case of a siege war, either for attacking, or defending, a stronghold. This scenario was put to the test many times during major manoeuvers between 1894 and 1914.
Ten years later, with war taking the shape of an extensive siege, 60cm gauge field railways quickly became one of the main means for supplying the frontline. As early as November 1914, the first massive orders of equipment were issued. It was also decided to organize the troops needed to build and operate the future networks, of which there was a serious shortage at the time. Péchot, called out of retirement in August 1914, was put in charge of setting up the «60cm gauge instruction center»
