I want to know the answer to the following question:
What is the literal meaning of the Prussian word "Kreis?"
All the background I'm provided with is that "At the outset of the Franco-Prussian War, 462,000 German soldiers concentrated on the French frontier while only 270,000 French soldiers could be moved to face them, the French army having lost 100,000 stragglers before a shot was fired through poor planning and administration.". Is that enough to answer the question?
Answer: no