Belgium in WWI

The recent influx of WWI threads has gotten me thinking, what would have been needed for King Albert to relent and let German troops pass through his territory? How much of an effect would this have had on WWI and the Schlieffen plan, and would Belgium be better or worse off as a result?
 

BlondieBC

Banned
The recent influx of WWI threads has gotten me thinking, what would have been needed for King Albert to relent and let German troops pass through his territory? How much of an effect would this have had on WWI and the Schlieffen plan, and would Belgium be better or worse off as a result?


He would need to think the Germans would win quickly regardless of his decision to let them pass or not. Unless the UK told him he needed to let the Germans through, I don't see an easy POD, and this POD is real near ASB.

WW1 would not look anything like OTL. No Belgium outrage in USA. Britain may stay out of war for a while. The Germans will take more of France, and likely hold the Marne or most of the Calais area. A-H still screws up in the east, and I don't see Germany taking Paris before it has to turn east. Best guess, the war ends in 1916/17 with CP win.

Like most of these threads, it all depends on the POD.
 
The recent influx of WWI threads has gotten me thinking, what would have been needed for King Albert to relent and let German troops pass through his territory? How much of an effect would this have had on WWI and the Schlieffen plan, and would Belgium be better or worse off as a result?
Militarily it would let develop German troops much faster and without any casualties. They lost a lot of momentum during the siege of Liège and further fighting. Without the need for occupation or to besiege Antwerp Germany might have more troops elsewhere although some protection of supply routes might still be necessary. No bad publicity, but also no forced labour which might prolong labour shortage later in the war. British entrance might very well go as planned though, since Belgium giving up neutrality in favour of Germany is a valid casus belli (just think of the channel ports open to Germany now!).

In the end a lot depends on the Pod although I cannot think of one which might lead such a result right now.

Kind regards,
G.
 
King Albert knew his country was going to be crushed, but his honor forced him to fight. His son Leoplod II, was more pragmatic and surrendered when he thought all hope was lost. If Albert's character is different and he sees fighting as just causing needless bloodshed he might accept the German ultimatum with just a protest.

The British may still declare war though since they don't want Germany occupying the Belgian cost no matter what. Belgian wishes won't matter in London any more than they did in Berlin.

The important thing is this will save the Germans about two days, and maybe two corps of soldiers that would otherwise need to mask the Belgian Army in Antwerp and guard their line of communications through Belgium.

If the Germans have those two extra days they hit the French Fifth army on the extreme left of the French line and possibly envelop it while the BEF is still marching towards them. If the Fifth Army gets cut off and annihilated there is nothing Joffre or the Allied High Command can do. The French are going to get rolled up just as Schlieffen planned.

If the French avoid losing the Fifth Army the battle of the Marne may still play out differently or may never be fought at all. The BEF will not be able to link up in time and those two extra days and two extra corps may make the difference.
 
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