We've been introduced just recently to a member of the German General Staff who thought that preparing for a long war was the smart thing to do, and we've also seen P's excellent timeline that deals with a better-prepared French military.
What would the Great War have looked like if every nation that engaged in it was as well-prepared as it could have feasibly been? Understanding that an answer of "not fighting" is not an answer to my question, what would WW1 have looked like if all of the major combatants had a fairly decent grip on what could happen, and modified their plans as a result?
- Germany attacks Russia first, has defensive works and/or a limited offensive into France, and doesn't go into Belgium (unless you have a plausible reason for them to do so that doesn't involve a Schlieffen-level offensive).
-France is better-prepared, has decent artillery, and is prepared to thwart any German move into Belgium. A German invasion will be met with a quick advance into Belgium if at all diplomatically/militarily possible.
-Russia...doesn't suck as much?
-Austria-Hungary is not led by Conrad on any front? Well-planned and executed invasion of Serbia that subdues the Serbs quickly, while keeping the Russian front stable?
-Italy (assuming they join the Allies) moves quickly to secure Trieste (as they could have in OTL, according to Isonzo, nabs a bit of the Trentino and holds tight (unless there is another feasible route of advance against the Hapsburgs)?
-Britain (if involved) uses its troops intelligently: any Dardanelles-style attacks are well-planned and executed? Quick realization that bite-and-hold attacks work best (if engaged on Western Front)?
-The Ottoman Empire (if involved) has better organized and equipped troops?
I'm sure I'm adding stuff in there that doesn't make sense, or missing stuff that could otherwise shed light on the situation. What do you all think?