Ok so we all know the French adopted the Meunier rifle in 1910 but the French high command dicked around about the ammunition the rifle used and it really didn't get off the production line till 1913 and even then only 1000 were ever made.
Now what I propose is what if there was limted resistance against the rifle and it was able to be produced in large numbers before the war. Lets say production began in early 1911 and kicked into high gear in in 1912 and 1913 allowing for a shift over from the old but respectible and honorable Lebel.
Ok so the Meunier is in the hands of French troops early in the war, does the increased firepower of the French infantryman make any difference in early battles of the war?
I know this is borderline ASB, and I know advanced arms and munitions can never compensate for icompetant leadership. But I do remember reading of several engagements early on where the accurate, fast firirng British troops managed to stall German attacks. I wonder if the French have fast firing box magazine semi-automaic rifles instead of old Lebels could they perhaps pull of similar feats?