As most of the French army was stationed on the border with Germany, the Schlieffen Plan aimed for the quick defeat of France by invading it through Belgium who were considered to be neutral and not cause a threat. The Belgians were not believed to cause a threat as the Germans simply believed that the Belgians didn’t have enough firepower and men to stand in the way of the Germans and become an obstacle as Belgium was a smaller country. The Belgians were not expected to be able to resist the attack of the Germans so were therefore looked down on and not considered a threat. After dealing with the Belgians the Germans then intended to move rapidly on to capture the capital of France which was Paris.
The Germans also assumed that Britain would not go to war and expected them to stay neutral and didn’t expect them to go to war over their 1839 treaty with Belgium, which was described as a 'scrap of paper'. Even if Britain did defend Belgium, the Kaiser believed that there was no need to fear the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), which they called and described as a 'contemptible little army'. Naming the British army a loathsome army seemed to be the wrong route to take but nevertheless this is the way the Germans chose to go about the situation. The Germans also planned to take over the main ports to minimise chances of the BEF entering the country. This would also avoid an extra battle or stronger army to fight against and this would also save soldiers and provisions, but mainly the most crucial factor which would be time. Having rid of Belgium and the BEF if called for and defeating France, Germany would then be able to concentrate her efforts on defeating the Russians in the east rather then having to fight on two fronts at once. If they were made to fight on two fronts at once it would leave the Germans fragile in areas and short on soldiers on each border. This would also decrease the strength of their army as it was already not as big as expected by the Kaiser and Von Schlieffen when the Schlieffen Plan was produced. The Russians had a big population which is why they were expected to have a big army, but weren’t a very well developed country which is why the Germans had the upper hand and expected to defeat the Russians.
Belgium, Britain and France responded to the release of the Schlieffen Plan in different ways and had tactics of their own. The Germans were in for a big change of plan as the opposition was a lot stronger than planned.
On 2nd August 1914, the German army invaded Belgium according to the Schlieffen Plan. The invasion relied upon rapid movement as it was also a fight against time as they planned to defeat France before the Russians could mobilise. The Germans were not expecting any resistance from Belgium, but the Belgian army fought bravely and managed to delay the German advance. They snipered members of the German army on their way marching through the country and also held up the army very well in the true head to head battle with the Germans. The streets were infested by swarming immigrants in the countries main streets and roads heading for safety and the railways were occupied by the Belgian army. These swarming immigrants stood in the way causing obstacles and made it an even harder task for the German army to progress through the country. This significantly helped slowed down the German army and wasted a lot of time for them as they were on a tight time schedule and meant a lot of hassle as the Germans tried to clear the roads and also make sure of safe railways to pace them into France. The Belgians also later prevented the Germans from taking the French channel ports by flooding their land. The Germans were expected to march 23 kilometres in three days but reality made it almost impossible with the obstacles and lowered soldiers morale and supplies. Horses which were used also needed immense supplies of hay and with the roads so cramped the horses also fell tired. This meant that Germany were already behind on supplies and soldiers and slightly behind in the Schlieffen Plan.
The Germans were in for a big shock as Russia mobilised and armed its troops quicker than expected. Within 10 days the Russians were mobilised and had invaded Germany which was a shock to the Germans, as the time taken in order for the Russians to mobilise was a lot quicker than expected. This meant that the Germans had to switch troops away from West to hold up and defend the Russian invasion in the East. This put immense pressure on the Germans as they only had an army which was 2/3 size expected by the Schlieffen Plan and were relentlessly losing soldiers, which caused changes to the invasion force.
France responded quickly to the German attack by launching an invasion of Alsace and Lorraine, but this failed as the Germans were significantly stronger with firepower and soldiers. Although the French were defeated Von Moltke had to send soldiers from his force in Belgium.
The next big alteration in the Schlieffen Plan was Germany headed East of Paris rather than South and West and this would not surround Paris. This meant they didn’t achieve their target of taking over the main ports of Belgium which were Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne. This left a window of opportunity for the British and they took it.
Britain declared war on Germany in response to the invasion of Belgium. The fact that Belgian troops were able to hold up the German advance gave time for the BEF to arrive. The Germans change in plan and failure to takeover the main ports meant that the BEF could enter the country and land its troops on the main ports. Although the BEF consisted of only 125, 000 men, they were well trained, equipped, organised and ready for action within less than one week. They were said to be the hardcore of the British army after previous wars. Surprisingly though for the Germans the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) arrived exceedingly quickly which was a blow to the Germans as they didn’t expect the BEF to go to war over the 1839 Treaty with Belgium, but even with the chance of the BEF joining the war in the back of their minds they didn’t expect them to arrive and prepare so swiftly. The arrival of the BEF resulted in Germany’s assumptions about the BEF being a 'contemptible little army' being put to the test and the Germans were soon proved wrong as they were held up at Mons. The BEF’s experience from the Boer War helped them through. They were then further able to delay the Germans at Mons and this was a big blow to the Germans as every bit of time was critical as they didn’t want war on two fronts at any time during the war. This would consequently weaken the German army and unbalance it.
Having helped the Belgians hold the Germans up at Mons, the BEF then moved to support the French on the River Marne and prevent the Germans from reaching Paris. Losses were heavy and by December 1914 more than half of the BEF were dead.
The BEF then retreated into France and headed to the Marne to join up with the French and acrimoniously resisted the Germans.
The French showed a new pride and determination about themselves and taxis were taken by the army and used to transport soldiers to the Marne, which was 30 miles or so from Paris.
This was where the countries battled it out and was the famous location of the ‘Battle of the Marne’. The battle at the Marne was a crucial turning-point and with the help of the remaining members of the BEF, the German advance was not only halted but for the first time the Germans forced to retreat and were pushed back about 35 miles. The French had won the ‘Battle of the Marne’. They called this a miracle and said it saved their beloved Paris. Both sides now had to secure the land that they held. This is why the Trenches were dug. The countries all switched to from an attacking strategy to a defensive tactic and the first exchanges of the war were over. From now until 1918, neither side would advance more than 10 miles forward or backwards from the positions that they now held. In the winter rains and weather both sides dug themselves into the ground and held their ground. This is where the 400 miles of trenches were formed from the channel coast through France and Belgium to the Swiss border. This was the development of the Western Front.
In conclusion I believe the Schlieffen plan played major part in the development of the western front in 1914. The battle of the Marne and the BEF also played a large part in the development of the western front as without the Battle of Marne the Schlieffen plan may have succeeded, however without the help of the BEF in Belgium and the Battle of the Marne the French wouldn’t have had as much time to prepare. They also wouldn’t have been as strong and therefore all three were linked together. One other event which links into this is Russia mobilising quicker than expected. With Russia mobilising within 10 days Germany were forced to send soldiers across to the East which weakened the army. This would have also linked into the development of the Western Front as if the Germans were weakened and didn’t have as many soldiers they would have to slightly back down and slow down and change strategies, which would reward France with time to change their tactics or do any means necessary to help their cause in the war.
