WI: Paris falls in 1914

[LordKalvert]

1) there's no chance to bribe Belgium. The Germans did offer to look on requests for compensation "with favor"- in other words- name your price. The Belgians understood that if the Germans entered Belgium, then they would never leave on their own

2) the fall of Paris could be accomplished by having the French violate Belgium first. This would have the Belgians fighting with the Germans. Other than that, not very likely

3) If the Germans do take Paris, the French field army will remain in the field. There is no chance that they will surrender without at least seeing what the Russians can accomplish.

4) Perhaps Willie and Nicky come to their senses and make a deal- France for Austria?

 

[Bytewave]

Paris falling in '14 is the 'we'll be home by Christmas' scenario for the Germans in WW1.

Plenty to speculate on what happens afterwards but the short term consequences are simple. Central powers just won the war.

 

[Xgentis]

Any chance of bribing Belguim to let German troops take train trips to the French border?

Not a chance, we had nothing to gain by letting the german pass. It would have made us totally dependent on Germany for security in short we would have become a client state. We had nothing to gain in letting the german pass except enemies far more powerfull then us.

 

[TheBrunswickian]

Extremely unlikely in the short run. France learned her lesson about capitulating too early in 1871 (and forgot it again in the 30s). OTL, France was prepared to fight after a loss of Paris, the government had been evacuated and Paris had been declared an open city.

I meant that the public French morale would drop with the loss of Paris and the disheartened French public would likely become anti-war and pressure would fall on the government to negotiate a favourable peace for France. I am not saying that capitulation would be instant, but would still be likely.

 

[MichaelF]

Keep in mind that, except for China in World War II, no nation after 1860 has been able to keep fighting for more than a few weeks after losing its capital.

 

[TRH]

Keep in mind that, except for China in World War II, no nation after 1860 has been able to keep fighting for more than a few weeks after losing its capital.

Serbia in WWI? Lost its capital in 1915, kept fighting the whole war. Likewise, Romania kept going for a year after losing Bucharest.

 

[idontlikesand]

Keep in mind that, except for China in World War II, no nation after 1860 has been able to keep fighting for more than a few weeks after losing its capital.

belgium lost its capital and most of the country in ww1 and yet managed to hold on to a tiny bit of belgium(yser front) for the duration of the war.

 

[Mikestone8]

belgium lost its capital and most of the country in ww1 and yet managed to hold on to a tiny bit of belgium(yser front) for the duration of the war.

Belgium couldn't withdraw from the war even if it wanted to. The major combatants would continue fighting on its territory.

 

[Richter von Manthofen]

Lets put it this way

Paris can live without France, but France could not without Paris.

I assume Germany would not take paris alone - you need to have overrun the complete northeastern part of France (meaning all west of the Oise and north of the Line Verdun to Paris (including Reims and maybe south to Toul)

The loss of so many rail connections will make an imemdiate French counterattack at least VERY difficult and probably impossible.

The BEF alone is currently composed of 4 ID + 1 Cav D -- thats not enough to achieves something alone (expansion was underway, but needs time9

Its likely Germany can fortify its positions and reatking Paris gets more difficult over time.

If Paris falls but France fights on Germany might continue the advance (after buildup) in direction of teh atlantic coast, but with Paris the "run to the sea" will be two pronged (along the Seine and north) - This threatens the BEF and the ability to import goods for france in addition (if Germany manages to get some ports) the war at sea becomes more difficult for the Entente (sub bases)

 

[Athelstane]

Hope was as persistent as a weed in WW1, France wouldn't surrender with Paris was taken because of the hope that some move by her allies would save her.

However if Paris did fall France's ability to fight a long war would be crippled so eventually the CP would win the war.

That's more or less the size of it.