This paper aims to identify whether any underlying relevant optimization logic prevailed in the distribution of French troops in the Plan XVII of World War I. After explaining the context and the assumptions of our analysis, we propose a combinatorial optimization problem based on travel time minimization, as well as four possible solving methods. The solutions of those methods are compared among them and with the actual Plan Joffre XVII to conclude on the most suitable logic for troop allocation. Moreover, a discussion on the pertinence of the logic found as well as main implications of the proposed framework.