How important was Silesia to German warmaking in WWI?

Exactly what the title says. I'm writing a timeline where Russia has taken Silesia in the first three years because they were better equipped and stuff.

The thing is, I've called it the "Great War", and Great Wars don't last for 3 years only. They last for at least 4 or 5 (in my own humble view).

So how important was Silesia?

P.S. If you want to read the timeline, it's in my sig. :D
 
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TinyTartar

Banned
Logistically, it was huge, as it linked the German manufacturing centers with the Eastern Front.

Silesia has quite a few coal mines, which helps the war effort as well; however, Germany could probably survive without them.

I don't think that Silesia would make or break the German war effort if as you say, Russia takes it, as Germany would be fighting within its borders and not need a railhub to Poland.

Obviously, though, a WW1 where the Russians are on German territory is a WW1 that the Germans are not doing well in.
 
Oh, I thought that Silesian and Ruhr had insanely high amounts of factories that would kill Germany if they lost them. Thanks!
 
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