Deleted member 1487
What if Falkenhayn has his way and Verdun is attacked in April 1915? Let's say to make this possible the Austro-Hungarians do better in 1914 and the Russian threat is not great enough to pull German forces East. The Germans still have the 8th, 9th, and 10th armies in the East and the Austro-Hungarians the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 7th armies in Galicia (no Südarmee). So far Italy has not entered in the war and the Serbs are out while Bulgaria is in.
So what can the Germans accomplish in the West with their new corps and advantage in heavy artillery and howtizers? Gas is going to be introduced though perhaps with some extra forces not available OTL to reinforce the 2nd Ypres.
The French have lost heavily in the winter Champagne battles and still has not fortified Verdun. The garrison force for the "fortified sector" was used in the previous offensive and is recovering. Heavy guns still remain in their fortress mountings, but not many. The Germans have a decisive doctrine, training, and artillery advantage at Verdun and the French have not yet built the Voi Sacree or the additional rail line into the city that would exist in 1916.
Can the attritional Verdun battle be pulled off if launched a year early?
So what can the Germans accomplish in the West with their new corps and advantage in heavy artillery and howtizers? Gas is going to be introduced though perhaps with some extra forces not available OTL to reinforce the 2nd Ypres.
The French have lost heavily in the winter Champagne battles and still has not fortified Verdun. The garrison force for the "fortified sector" was used in the previous offensive and is recovering. Heavy guns still remain in their fortress mountings, but not many. The Germans have a decisive doctrine, training, and artillery advantage at Verdun and the French have not yet built the Voi Sacree or the additional rail line into the city that would exist in 1916.
Can the attritional Verdun battle be pulled off if launched a year early?