AHC : A quicker WW1, Entente victory

[bm79]

By avoiding the offensives of Plan 17 then French concede all the initiative to the Germans, virtually admitting they cannot fight them on equal terms. I don't think this is realistic given how slim the German advantages over the French were: better rifles, more machineguns, minenwerfer and howitzers, all of which were not shown to be superior to the French arms and doctrine until the clashes of 1914. I personally don't think the big French-German army battles offer much scope for a quick Entente victory. However they are totally necessary so other events can happen which are more likely to bring about a quicker Entente victory, without them the Germans are free to go nuts.

By going ahead with Plan XVII even after they knew the Germans are attacking in Belgium, the French very nearly fell into the trap that was intended by the sicklestroke. That they were able to reverse course and redeploy in such a short time in late August is almost miraculous, but their blinkered "war means attack" mentality nearly cost them the war.

 

[Captain Jack]

By going ahead with Plan XVII even after they knew the Germans are attacking in Belgium, the French very nearly fell into the trap that was intended by the sicklestroke. That they were able to reverse course and redeploy in such a short time in late August is almost miraculous, but their blinkered "war means attack" mentality nearly cost them the war.

Pre-war and even during the initial phase the French wanted the Germans to attack through Belgium because it would pull forces away from their planned line of attack through Alsace-Lorraine and up into the Rhineland. They didn't realize the Germans would use Reserve divisions on the frontline which enabled them to attack through Belgium and Alsace

I've read Von Kluck's account of the decision to retreat at the Marne and in it he says that on the evening of the 8th the Army Headquarters decided to move closer to the battle. As they reached their destination a squadron of French cavalry attacked a nearby airfield. The fighting was close enough to the Staff that they stopped and formed a firing line with whatever weapons they had to hand. The French cavalry were dispersed by IX Corps OTL but it seems like a perfectly plausible POD to have the cavalry break through and reach the Staff convoy. The First Army's ability to fight would be hugely damaged by the loss of it's army staff.

 

[Riain]

The BEF didnt need to redeploy, only to advance strait in the breach and the historical sources specificaly said that Moltke was suffering from nervous breakdown and that is subordinates ended up taking the high command over to save the front, having them waithing for Moltke to be back in his normal shape his one of the POD we have already starting discussing, no such problem was reported in the OTL allied High command.

The BEF was not in close contact with 1. Army, had spent the last fortnight retreating and a 5th Division had just arrived. If turning about from retreat and marching in the other direction while incorporating another division isn't redeployment it is much the same in effect. The BEF wasn't sitting fresh as a daisy ready to launch into fancy flanking offensives, it had been battered by 1. Army and Joffre had to badger French to stop retreating and turn around to attack.

As for Moltke's breakdown leading to paralysis, what made the German Army so effective is the initiative shown by men at all levels. When Pritwitz had his breakdown in the East Hoffman stepped up and organised the plan that H & L put into effect when they arrived. Moltke's subordinates stepping up is normal procedure in the German army.