August 4 1914 Germans unit cross Dutch border

What if... by accident... miss communication...units of the the German 1st Army cross the Dutch border in the province of Limburg. And as response field army units of the Dutch 3rd Division response by engaging the foreign units violating the Dutch neutrality.

Notes:
The number of German units are of that size that it can not be ignored that Germany is not invading the Netherlands.
Dutch army was reasonable up to date according to 1914 standards and fully mobilized before out brake of war between the Great Powers. The Dutch Field army was at the 3rd of August at their waiting positions.
 
Depends on how fast the Germans withdraw. If they are still milling about the streets of Maastricht on the third day there are some large possibilities.

I've gamed this situation several times & a Netherlands inclusion by the German player is a game looser. A couple German infantry corps, some heavy artillery, and a bit of cavalry must be diverted to deal with the Dutch & in the German view, a British threat from that direction.
 
I see you've counted a repeat of the accidental invasion of Luxembourg that got uninvaded, then reinvaded later.

IIRC the original Schlieffen Plan wanted to wheel through the Netherlands - did this mean that the wheel missed the Belgian border forts? If so, the Germans might have accidentally done themselves a favour.

If the army adapts and reorientates, then the Belgian forts can be dealt with later - which might also mean that Ludendorff doesn't get his shining role, and might not rise at all.
 
After the German defeat. Depending how fast the KNIL-army can occupy German pacific possesions. But the Netherlands may get a few extra holdings. Ost- Friesland and a few border smaller border changes could happen. During the war the germans aren't likely able to occupy the randstad area (where the majority of the population lives). The germans will have another front and have more food problems, because otl few foodstuffs where imported from the Netherlands.
 
German 1st Army units are top notch of the German Empire but are wheeled South to encounter the French, their main goal.
The crossing of the Dutch border was not part of the plans of the the German HQ but since it happened and could not be reverted attack plans were quickly adapted. In other words the narrow gap between the forts of Liege and the Dutch border was suddenly more wider for the German 1st and 2nd Army advancing South.
New problem for the Germans how to secure their right flank, from the Dutch field Army, 3rd and 4th division and the Belgian Army. The Amries of the Low Countries sooner than later would establish communications and cooperation threatening the German Northern flanks.
 
What does Britain do? Historically it always sent its armies into the Low Countries, but then it was fighting France. But if the front is further North than OTL, would the BEF or part of it be landed further North? Could any such move see an attempt by the High Seas Fleet to intercept it? And see a fleet battle off the Dutch coast?
 
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If the army adapts and reorientates, then the Belgian forts can be dealt with later - which might also mean that Ludendorff doesn't get his shining role, and might not rise at all.

The railways don't accommodate that. Leige was a critical railway route for supplying the right wing. To do the same without Liege you have to control several east/west railways through south Netherlands & then southwards through Antwerp.
 
Attached a map of the Netherlands 1914 with rail lines, and defense lines and German attack plans/concepts
Position of the divisions of the field army
Table of the Field army strength
Table of the Fortification army strength


Source:The art of staying neutral. M.Abbenhuis
 

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