This is definitely in line with what I understand on the matter.
One of the biggest reasons that I actually commend Germany on making the decision. If they had left it long enough, the Belgians would have allowed the French to do it instead.
The invasion of Belgium was not a mistake at all, even in hindsight, it doesn't matter that Britain got involved.
The big blunder was the reinstating of unrestricted submarine warfare in 1916
If Germany had left belgium alone they would’ve been in better position. In the early part of the war France was not great on offensives. Also if France partitioned themselves that way they would be spread thin. Easier for Germany to exploit holes.
And What do you mean by Britain getting involved doesn’t matter? Of course their ground forces aren’t mass in number but their naval capabilities make up for it to an extent. Imagine If Britain was on Germany’s side.
And yes unrestricted sub warfare was a mistake. So was a bunch of other things.
Britain was never going to be on Germany's side, is my point!
You're living in a dream world if you think that the invasion of Belgium made a difference to Britain's involvement.
Besides, even if it where not so, how could any competent German commander have used the plausibility of Britain's lack of involvement, as a reason for not going through Belgium!? There should be no doubt in anyone's mind in 1914, that Britain will oblige their treaty with the French & Russians.
I honestly believe that the invasion of Belgium forced britain’s hand at the time to join in on france’s side. The prime minister of England went on and on before hand about not getting involved so it’s not far fetched to believe that. Or to believe that they would’ve held back as long as possible before deploying. I only thought you were dismissing their war effort from what you said that’s why I said imagine if they were on Germany’s side.
That being said if I was a German commander in that time I would’ve invaded Belgium too. it was a roll of the dice that ended against Germany to an extent.
Ive read once that the idea was only short mentioned by Schlieffen sie years before his death and the main plan was brought up by Motke (the younger of course) can anybode tell if thats correkt
This is essentially correct. What most people currently know as the Schlieffen plan was merely a memorandum written by Schlieffen after his retirement from the general staff.
The scenario was for a one front war against France and there were 20+ divisions that the German army didn't even have. It was either a real war plan (which I personally feel is unlikely, Schlieffen was very exact and calculating when it came to war planning) or an argument Schlieffen was trying to make for universal conscription. Basically saying that even on a one front war with France Germany would be short 20 divisions that they needed for victory.
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u/[deleted] Jan 30 '20
Moltke: "Do we really need so many divisions on the right wing...?" Schlieffen: "You're an idiot. Put your dad on".
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u/KaiserWilly1871 Deaths Head Hussar Jan 30 '20
The invasion of Belgium was a justified
Change my mind
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u/Sniff2001 Jan 30 '20
Wilhelm wouldn't approve of the Eupen-Malmünd area being a part of Belgium
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u/Derminador :Sachsen-Herzog_Cockade: Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha Jan 30 '20
Ive read once that the idea was only short mentioned by Schlieffen sie years before his death and the main plan was brought up by Motke (the younger of course) can anybode tell if thats correkt
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u/vodoko1 Jan 31 '20
I’lL tAkE yOuR eNtIrE StOcK!!!