The Schlieffen Plan Opening moves of WWI10/3/2011 7:00:00 PM

Background y The plan had been formulated as early as 1905 was based on y the belief that war with Russia meant war with France Response to Franco Russian Alliance (1914)

The Plan y Sweeping attack of France Through Belgium (1.5 million men) y y Massive flanking attack to surround and capture Paris Avoid defenses on Franco German border

y Defeat France In 6 Weeks in order to turn and face Russia *The plan was bold and aggressive (and risky) based on some vital assumptions Assumptions behind The Schlieffen Plan Belgium - Will put up no resistance and allow Germany to pass UK Wont be able to mobilize quickly enough to support France Russia Wont be able to mobilize enough troops to pose serious threat Russia = Harder to defeat What went Wrong Schlieffen Plan y Within approx. 6 weeks Germany had been stopped along the Marne River in N. France (outside Paris) and forced to retreat several miles Several attempts were made by Germany and UK/France to flank the enemy in a Race to the Sea When these failed trenches began to be dug along the western front Germany now found itself in a 2 Front war it had hoped to

France Easy to defeat in 6 weeks or less

y y y

avoid Reasons for Failure y y Belgian resistance held up German advance 3 weeks Rapid UK mobilization able to assist both Belgium and UK

y y y y

Russian mobilization took less than 2 weeks Forced re-direction of Germans to eastern front Distance and fatigue Flank along English channel unable to keep pace = unable to surround

Trench Warfare in WWI Tactics

10/3/2011 7:00:00 PM

Background y One of the primary tactics of WWI on the western front was y y y y trench warfare The Eastern Front also saw trench warfare but on a smaller scale due to the size of the front (1500+ miles) and climate Trench warfare was not originally a strategy/tactic that was planed Germany had expected a quick victory over France Trench warfare emerged out of Battlefield and technological realities in 1914.

Why did trench warfare come about? a) Failure of the Schlieffen plan Germany stopped along the Marne (outside Paris) y Flanking and Race to Sea led to stalemates/trenches b) New weapons in military technology y Machine guns and artillery = exposure was very dangerous c) Huge number of troops in limited Geographical space difficult to maneuver d) Offensive ideology = frontal charge Trench Warfare Characteristics a) System of Four (4) trenches y Attack trench for assaults and/or front line of defense y y Support trench provide additional ammunition and/or troops for attack trench Reserve trench troops held back as reinforcements; basic medical services

y Communication and command trench link communication Middle area between trenches no mans land = battleground soldiers were rotated among the trenches to safe zones in civilian areas why? y y y Medical services/rest Re-group and planning Psychological rest

Positive Negative of Trenches

+ : Held defensive positions Maximizes defensive efficiency of new technology - : Inability to make progress efficiently, disease, inadequate health care. Difficult to obtain battlefield victory Offensive assaults = suicide Massive body count (death toll) Results of the trenches? y y y y y Stalemate on the Western Front Limited mobility Mass casualties War of Attrition - body count destroy enemy ability to fight on New technology developed Gas, tanks, grenades, body armor

1st Battle of the Marne - 1914

Where: Tactics: Actions Results/relevance: Total war:

10/3/2011 7:00:00 PM