Prologue
C.Z.A.R
Donor
31 to the Somme
"When you march into France, let the last man on the right brush the channel with his sleeve."
-- Alfred von Schlieffen
Prologue: The Denkschrift
It is extremely necessary for the planning before the Erster Weltkrieg to be discussed for a total comprehension of what comes next. Neither side, both the Central Powers & Entente, lacked war-planning. Several war-committees, hearings, conventions, etc., led to the decisions taken in the fateful August of 1914.
Prelude to the Prologue
Throughout 1890 to 1895, the German High Command had almost total knowledge of French war-planning. They knew the exact French deployment plan, based off of changes to the Paris rail-net and several German agents, and planned accordingly. A common misconception about this period and the time leading up to it is the actual German plan.
Von Moltke the Elder & Waldersee had several debates on what to do in the case of war. E. Moltke (he will be referred to as this throughout the TL) had advocated for a total offensive in the East against Russia. This was, however, heavily disputed by Waldersee, and rightfully so. The eastern railnet was completely underdeveloped, on both sides of the border. A decisive victory against Russia was impossible, and E. Moltke would simply repeat the mistakes of Napoleon. Waldersee planned to deploy west, but this time is mostly unknown.
More importantly, Schlieffen picked up where they ended. From 1896 to 1905, Schlieffen held annual wargames. This gives us insight into what he planned to do in the case of war.
In 1897, he planned to defend in the west and use his rail mobility to destroy the Russians in East Prussia.
In 1899, he planned a massive counter-offensive against French forces in the Ardennes.
In 1900, he planned to deploy most of his army in a massive Ostaufmarsch. The exact details are unknown.
In 1900-1902, smaller Ostaufmarsch were planned.
In 1902-resignation, Schlieffen tilted towards a strategic defensive based on rail mobility. This was best demonstrated in the Great Kriesspiel Game of 1905.
Where this POD begins, however, is his resignation.
Schlieffen wrote a memorandum on a possible war with France. This is accredited, wrongfully, as the "Schlieffen Plan". However, such a plan didn't exist. Regardless, for this TL, it is vital. It was an example of what Germany could do with a levée en masse.
Following his resignation, Moltke the Younger would, instead of IRL, focus himself on fulfilling this idea. At every opportunity, he pleaded to the Reichstag & the Chancellor to pass military bills. Finally, in 1907, the Military Bill of 1907 was passed, in-spite of the German Naval Leagues. This was extremely important, as it gave Moltke exactly what he needed. Schlieffen's Denkschrift would remain as the primary source for all German "Aufmarsch"s.
This bill, however, did not only influence Germany.
Joseph Joffre, French Chief of the Army Staff
Joffre would be extremely frightened by the German military uptake. France was at it's absolute maximum in terms of manpower, and Germany's 88 divisions as opposed to 62 French ones was a major threat. The bill itself would only be complete by 1911, and Joffre was unlucky enough to be appointed in that year. He immediately convened a winter Franco-Russian convention.
They came to a conclusion that Russia must bring it's entire nation to arms as quickly as possible. It was the only way for victory. Only the Eastern Steamroller could destroy the Hun. Joffre was forced to cancel the attacks in Lorraine, also being forced to compose a new army built by scraping the barrel of French manpower. It was intended to delay the extra 24 German divisions as they were projected to rather go through Nancy or across the English Channel.
Czar Nikolai II, Czar[Tsar] of Russia
The Tsar would immediately be swarmed by both government & military officials. The Russo-Japanese War had inspired massive reform across the nation, but had failed to fix the defects in the army. A hearing was organized for December 19th, 1911. Some of the most influential Russian & French military/government officials were present. The question at hand was simple,
"How to use all of Russia's strength to bear?"
Almost immediately, a consensus would be made that the effective combat power of a division was it's artillery, and flooding manpower would lead to no success. The Tsar agreed, but also wished that Russian divisions be larger to close the gap. Further reforms were also proposed, resulting in:
16 ⮕ 18 field battalions, per division, infantry
6 ⮕ 12 batteries of field guns, per division
These reforms would be perhaps completed by 1915/1916 at the earliest. The French offered to fund the mission, but an unlikely development in the British supplied the necessary artillery for a hefty price.
Footnotes:
- For 1914, each post will be 1 month on one front. In 1915-1918, it will become anywhere from 3, 6 or even an entire year. Or, maybe the war won't go on that long!
- Thank you to these users for providing extremely useful insight for the entire community on WW1:
@NoMommsen
@Riain
@Helmuth48 (also for mapping resources)
etc.
-And, finally, thank you to Terence Zuber for writing extremely informative books on the buildup to WW1. He answered several of my questions and was extremely helpful.
"When you march into France, let the last man on the right brush the channel with his sleeve."
-- Alfred von Schlieffen
Prologue: The Denkschrift
It is extremely necessary for the planning before the Erster Weltkrieg to be discussed for a total comprehension of what comes next. Neither side, both the Central Powers & Entente, lacked war-planning. Several war-committees, hearings, conventions, etc., led to the decisions taken in the fateful August of 1914.
Prelude to the Prologue
Throughout 1890 to 1895, the German High Command had almost total knowledge of French war-planning. They knew the exact French deployment plan, based off of changes to the Paris rail-net and several German agents, and planned accordingly. A common misconception about this period and the time leading up to it is the actual German plan.
Von Moltke the Elder & Waldersee had several debates on what to do in the case of war. E. Moltke (he will be referred to as this throughout the TL) had advocated for a total offensive in the East against Russia. This was, however, heavily disputed by Waldersee, and rightfully so. The eastern railnet was completely underdeveloped, on both sides of the border. A decisive victory against Russia was impossible, and E. Moltke would simply repeat the mistakes of Napoleon. Waldersee planned to deploy west, but this time is mostly unknown.
More importantly, Schlieffen picked up where they ended. From 1896 to 1905, Schlieffen held annual wargames. This gives us insight into what he planned to do in the case of war.
In 1897, he planned to defend in the west and use his rail mobility to destroy the Russians in East Prussia.
In 1899, he planned a massive counter-offensive against French forces in the Ardennes.
In 1900, he planned to deploy most of his army in a massive Ostaufmarsch. The exact details are unknown.
In 1900-1902, smaller Ostaufmarsch were planned.
In 1902-resignation, Schlieffen tilted towards a strategic defensive based on rail mobility. This was best demonstrated in the Great Kriesspiel Game of 1905.
Where this POD begins, however, is his resignation.
Schlieffen wrote a memorandum on a possible war with France. This is accredited, wrongfully, as the "Schlieffen Plan". However, such a plan didn't exist. Regardless, for this TL, it is vital. It was an example of what Germany could do with a levée en masse.
Following his resignation, Moltke the Younger would, instead of IRL, focus himself on fulfilling this idea. At every opportunity, he pleaded to the Reichstag & the Chancellor to pass military bills. Finally, in 1907, the Military Bill of 1907 was passed, in-spite of the German Naval Leagues. This was extremely important, as it gave Moltke exactly what he needed. Schlieffen's Denkschrift would remain as the primary source for all German "Aufmarsch"s.
This bill, however, did not only influence Germany.
Joseph Joffre, French Chief of the Army Staff
Joffre would be extremely frightened by the German military uptake. France was at it's absolute maximum in terms of manpower, and Germany's 88 divisions as opposed to 62 French ones was a major threat. The bill itself would only be complete by 1911, and Joffre was unlucky enough to be appointed in that year. He immediately convened a winter Franco-Russian convention.
They came to a conclusion that Russia must bring it's entire nation to arms as quickly as possible. It was the only way for victory. Only the Eastern Steamroller could destroy the Hun. Joffre was forced to cancel the attacks in Lorraine, also being forced to compose a new army built by scraping the barrel of French manpower. It was intended to delay the extra 24 German divisions as they were projected to rather go through Nancy or across the English Channel.
Czar Nikolai II, Czar[Tsar] of Russia
The Tsar would immediately be swarmed by both government & military officials. The Russo-Japanese War had inspired massive reform across the nation, but had failed to fix the defects in the army. A hearing was organized for December 19th, 1911. Some of the most influential Russian & French military/government officials were present. The question at hand was simple,
"How to use all of Russia's strength to bear?"
Almost immediately, a consensus would be made that the effective combat power of a division was it's artillery, and flooding manpower would lead to no success. The Tsar agreed, but also wished that Russian divisions be larger to close the gap. Further reforms were also proposed, resulting in:
16 ⮕ 18 field battalions, per division, infantry
6 ⮕ 12 batteries of field guns, per division
These reforms would be perhaps completed by 1915/1916 at the earliest. The French offered to fund the mission, but an unlikely development in the British supplied the necessary artillery for a hefty price.
Footnotes:
- For 1914, each post will be 1 month on one front. In 1915-1918, it will become anywhere from 3, 6 or even an entire year. Or, maybe the war won't go on that long!
- Thank you to these users for providing extremely useful insight for the entire community on WW1:
@NoMommsen
@Riain
@Helmuth48 (also for mapping resources)
etc.
-And, finally, thank you to Terence Zuber for writing extremely informative books on the buildup to WW1. He answered several of my questions and was extremely helpful.
it!!!!