Netherlands in WW 1

It's the post war thing that interests me. Earlier Benelux anyone?

A mutual defence pact is almost a given, but the political and societal differences between both countries would probably still too big for true economic integration. On that note, in our time the minority government used the unique situation of the day (nobody dared to vote away the government in a time of crisis) to settle several longstanding political issues. A war government would have better things to do, so the postwar would probably be dominated with long and bitter political battles.
 
There are too many posts to react to each post without cluttering the thread, but let me give my opinion to some points:
- Dutch intervention would harm the German cause, but I'm not sure it would significantly cut the lenght of the war. The Germans would severely miss several divisions bottling up the Dutch behind the Water Line and definitely lose at the Marne, but part of the force would be able to rejoin the main force during the Race to the Sea.

At this you need to add anything that Germany will not import due to the fact that Netherlands figth for the other team and all the resources that will be used in the new front.
Naturally a worse situation for Germany can be what's necessary to give concession to Italy to let her remain neutral, greatly off-setting any advantage the Entente get for the Dutch being their ally.
 
No matter if the German invasion would be accidental or deliberated and planned. The bulk of the German forces to counter the Dutch forces would be 2nd and 3rd rate reserve troops. The only 1st rate troops the Dutch forces would encounter will be the units who are part of the 1st Army which will swing thtough Brabant in their andvance to Beglium and France.
If an invasion would happen in August 1914 the German 1st army would have a wider corridor for their advance, making the destruction of fortresses of Liege less improtant.
I am not sure but I though mr Loudon, secratary of forreiggn affairs, ordered the mining or even destruction of the bridges crossing the river Meuse in Limburg in August 1914. Even without bridges this would mean only a small delay at least smaller than the presence of forts as at Liege.
If in 1914, the Germans would probably advance in frontal attack to the Dutch more or less as in OTL 1940, except for the 1st Army who will swing to the South. The major advnace would be close to the rivers Meuse close to Grave and at the North close to the river Rhine, if the river Ijssel is crossed, in order to keep the distance to the Railroad bridge over the Hollands Diep and Rotterdam as short as possible . The main goal of the Germans would probably the city and harbor of Rotterdam, which they considered a more strategic valuable target than Amsterdam. If the Germans even consider the complete occupation of the Netherlands, since it would be sufficient if the Dutch were driven behind their water line. A water line is not a favorable position to start a counter offensive and the stratigy of the Dutch was to sit the conflict out while the desisive offensives would take place any where else.

I am looking forward to see your time line.
 
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At this you need to add anything that Germany will not import due to the fact that Netherlands figth for the other team and all the resources that will be used in the new front.
Naturally a worse situation for Germany can be what's necessary to give concession to Italy to let her remain neutral, greatly off-setting any advantage the Entente get for the Dutch being their ally.

Paged through your TL, good stuff. Keeping Italy neutral would definitely make a large difference. I'm not sure the German government would be wise enough to pursue such a course. Giving away Austro-Hungarian territory in exchange for just neutrality? Will read your TL some more though.

If in 1914, the Germans would probably advance in frontal attack to the Dutch more or less as in OTL 1940, except for the 1st Army who will swing to the South. The major advnace would be close to the rivers Meuse close to Grave and at the North close to the river Rhine, if the river Ijssel is crossed, in order to keep the distance to the Railroad bridge over the Hollands Diep and Rotterdam as short as possible . The main goal of the Germans would probably the city and harbor of Rotterdam, which they considered a more strategic valuable target than Amsterdam. If the Germans even consider the complete occupation of the Netherlands, since it would be sufficient if the Dutch were driven behind their water line. A water line is not a favorable position to start a counter offensive and the stratigy of the Dutch was to sit the conflict out while the desisive offensives would take place any where else.

I am looking forward to see your time line.

Sounds as a likely scenario. Amsterdams value is purely symbolic and its capture would require battling through the toughest parts of the Water Line. Reaching Rotterdam would stilk require battling through some of the soggiest inundation-prone parts of the country. Hope the Kaisers neb know how to swim. A defensive battle and some very poor attempts at breaking the deadlock seem likely.

Hope to live up to your expectation with my TL
 
Paged through your TL, good stuff. Keeping Italy neutral would definitely make a large difference. I'm not sure the German government would be wise enough to pursue such a course. Giving away Austro-Hungarian territory in exchange for just neutrality? Will read your TL some more though.


Oh convincing the German goverment is not the problem, they already are aware of the situation and absolutely want Italy keep her neutrality. Berlin tried to convince and pressure Vienna so to give concession to the italians, even exchanging some German territory.
The problem was or better were the lack of trust between Italy and A-H, the believe that giving away a piece of the empire will start a cascade effect that will destroy it, the Entente diplomatic offensive...and the diplomatic history between Rome and Vienna being not very good at this stage
 
Naturally a worse situation for Germany can be what's necessary to give concession to Italy to let her remain neutral, greatly off-setting any advantage the Entente get for the Dutch being their ally.
Personaly I dont think the Netherlands would make that much of a difference. Yes, the German situation is worse than OTL, but Germany would still occupy most of Belgium, the Netherlands and a decent part of northeastern France.
 
Personaly I dont think the Netherlands would make that much of a difference. Yes, the German situation is worse than OTL, but Germany would still occupy most of Belgium, the Netherlands and a decent part of northeastern France.

Sure but now she can't import anything through Netherlands and everything used there (men, supply, ammunition) will be at detriment of other front
 
Sure but now she can't import anything through Netherlands and everything used there (men, supply, ammunition) will be at detriment of other front
The situation will be worse for Germany, but I don't think it will be visibly worse. It stilllooks like Germany is doing great,but Germany will have more small problems that willfinaly kill it in theend(like OTL, but quicker/harder). When looking back it will be obvious, but it won't be during the war.
 
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