The First World War
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Why did Germany lose the First World War? - The breakdown of the Schlieffen plan
Equations are omitted for technical reasons - download the original pdf
Germany's defeat in 1918 was not simply due to a failure of military planning. It is, however, true that the failure of Germany to achieve immediate victory at the beginning of the war in Autumn 1914 brought about a war of attrition for which Germany was not prepared. The Germans had long been aware of the difficulty in facing war on two fronts. The Schlieffen plan was an attempt to overcome this strategic weakness. But there was an error of judgement in the German high command in failing to recognise that the violation of the neutrality of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg would have political consequences. They may, also, have over-relied on the expectation of a slow Russian mobilisation. The German Army Supreme Commander, Moltke, endeavoured to minimalise the diplomatic repercussions by not invading the Netherlands, and this may have weakened Germany's military position. From the beginning, the war did not go Germany's way. Russia succeeded in mobilising more quickly than they expected. The German army encountered stiff Belgian resistance, and the British expeditionary force contributed to the slowing of the German attack. The Germans were forced to abandon their plan to surround Paris, and the Allies were able to mount a counter attack at the battle of the Marne. Moltke had a nervous breakdown and resigned. He was succeeded by Falkenhayn. The Germans were forced to transfer two army corps to the Russian front, and by November 1914 they had the war on two fronts that they had always feared.
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Contents of
The First World War
1 Why did Germany lose the First World War? - The breakdown of the Schlieffen plan
2 Why did Germany lose the First World War? - The failure of alternative strategies
3 Why did Germany lose the First World War? - The Limitations of German Economic Mobilisation
4 Why did Germany lose the First World War? - Submarine warfare and the entry of the USA
5 Why did Germany lose the First World War? - The collapse of Germany's final offensive
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