Entente: How Long Could They Keep It Up?

We saw iOTL that the Central Powers were on their last legs come 1918, however from what I've heard various memoirs and planning committees amongst at least the British had been making plans revolving around 1919 war efforts and such. With that in mind I have to ask if the Entente could have really held together for another year of fighting assuming things went differently (we'll handwave CP problems for this thought experiment).

I hope that makes sense.
 
With what POD? A POD in December 1915 is very different from a POD in August 1918.

I think the PoD is that the CP aren't facing grave internal problems of their own, and so how long would it take for the Entente to crack.

Is the USA still on the Entente side? That kind of tips the scales towards 'a long time'
 

BlondieBC

Banned
I guess you are assuming A-H does not fall apart. Germany, A-H, and Ottomans can keep producing new replacement regiments to cover losses.

Well, Russia was out of war by OTL, so we know the answer to this one. If we assume the above CP strength, the Ottomans should greatly benefit from a friendly Black Sea. Italy will not be effective in the attack in 1919 against a stronger Austria. France probably has had enough loses so it will largely be a defensive force with more symbolic divisions helping the major Entente attacks. The UK will be up to a Grand offensive in 1919 using USA money. The USA will pay heavy losses in 1919 as we continue the learning curve against these strengthened German units that keep showing up. I suspect by 1920 or 1921, only the USA will have the strength to attack, and will be showing 1917/18 like issues in manpower and finance that the Entente would have shown without USA entering the war.

Now, the true answer is that it all depends on what the POD was that make the CP stronger. There are a lot of possiblities, and so you can get lots of answers. Examples would be that a failed Brusilov offensive gives a lot different result that Austria running War Plan Russia in 1914. And these are different than Italy not entering the war on some internal Italian political issue.
 

LordKalvert

Banned
Well handwave CP problems means their in a lot better shape. Okay, let's assume the Germans can hold out for another year. Why would the Entente "fall apart" ? The terms they would receive amount to slavery so no, they are going to keep on fighting until they just can't go anymore.

But with the Americans on their way, money plentiful and manpower galore in the colonies, none of the Western Powers is going to take a hit for peace. Its war, war and more war until the CPs throw in the towel
 
Well handwave CP problems means their in a lot better shape. Okay, let's assume the Germans can hold out for another year. Why would the Entente "fall apart" ? The terms they would receive amount to slavery so no, they are going to keep on fighting until they just can't go anymore.

I doubt that the Germans would give Brest-Livotsk to a bunch of capitalist and non-revolutionary states, it was essentially stupid brevado that led them to offer that awful peace to Russia. And I seriously doubt the French will be totally unwilling to accept a peace roughly equivalent to Versailes.
 
Well handwave CP problems means their in a lot better shape. Okay, let's assume the Germans can hold out for another year. Why would the Entente "fall apart" ? The terms they would receive amount to slavery so no, they are going to keep on fighting until they just can't go anymore.

But with the Americans on their way, money plentiful and manpower galore in the colonies, none of the Western Powers is going to take a hit for peace. Its war, war and more war until the CPs throw in the towel
Ok, if you believe that...
How long until people get tired of their kids dying for a war that promises little for Britain or the US?

Sure the French might fight til the last man, but how long until that comes about?
 

LordKalvert

Banned
Ok, if you believe that...
How long until people get tired of their kids dying for a war that promises little for Britain or the US?

Sure the French might fight til the last man, but how long until that comes about?

The Americans might get tired pretty quick- they weren't that enthusiastic to start with

As for the British, the war didn't mean "little" it meant their survival
 
So, general consensus is US money and man power bought the Entente 2-3 more years of fighting ability?
 
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