Recent content by JLBB

The Nordarmee was formed in Schleswig-Holstein for this possibility. It's formations were later (second half of August, I think) largely sent to the western front once it was clear that there was no risk of a british landing in Schleswig-Holstein.

Don't you have to sail through Dutch waters to reach Antwerp by sea? Even if the Dutch allow this, it would still look like the British are doing to the Netherlands the same as the Germans did to Belgium. And why would the Netherlands even allow this? And if the plan is to land the forces at...

It won't affect the german offensives much as the Kaiser was already nothing but a puppet. Wilhelm III. was a massive Hindenburg fangirl before turning into a Hitler fangirl, so he would likely be easier to controll than his father. Once the offensives fail and Hindenburg and Ludendorff admit...

Falkenhayn was utterly hated by pretty much everyone in a position of relevance except the Kaiser. The army leaders in the west had been quite vocal on how much they questioned his leadership with Rupprecht and Albrecht also bringing in their states goverments. And for the east, there is...

He was in 1915. However during the Brusilov offensive Seeckt was sent to the Austrians to help out there and by late 1916 should be working in the army group "Erzherzog Karl". Mackensen meanwhile was placed in charge of conquering Romania and than stayed in Romania for the rest of the war.

Hoffmann is only a colonel in 1916, he would at most be deputy chief of staff. Mackensen is the obvious candidate, he's the only other prussian fieldmarshall around in 1916 and also a celebrated warhero. Bonus point would be that the Kaiser knows him personaly and would likely be comfortable...

Good points. And I agree, the election was so close it's hard to see anyone but Hindenburg beating Marx.

If Hindenburg doesn't run it's possible that Reinhard Scheer would step in as the conservative candidate. Scheer had considered running in 1921 and had even found support with the DVP for that idea, but it was decided to simply extend Eberts tenure so there was no election in 1921. He also was...

So, I managed to get my hands on Afflerbachs and Jessens books. The Prittwitz episode was not in there, I will have to do some searching to see where I read that. That said, while neither Afflerbach nor Jessen go into detail on Moltkes health it doesn't look promising. Moltke was already...

Sorry for the late reply, I was busy the last few days. As others noted it was basicly an attempt by Russia (with french support) to tie Britain closer to the Entente. The talks started in April 1914 but were soon stuck. However the Russians pushed on. In May they expressed their desire for...

Nothing to detailed sadly, it's more a case of bits and pieces here and there. Christopher Clark in "Die Schlafwandler" notes that Moltke was close to hysterical during his arguement with Wilhelm. Moltkes wife apparently thought he had suffered a mild stroke. Holger Afflerbach in "Falkenhayn...

Moltke's health was failling and he had been on leave for recovery basicly up until the last days of July. Then he suffered a nervous breakdown/mild stroke (depends on the source) on August 1st during his shouting match with the Kaiser. He wasn't exactly fit for the campaign, in fact, I believe...

I think I do. Unlike Reinhard Scheer or Adolf zu Mecklenburg-Schwerin whom Hindenburg thought of as acceptable successors around 1930 the crown prince had no hero status, instead he had Verdun stuck to his head. Wilhelm's political aspirations were also open for everyone to see, unlike Scheer or...

He doesn't have much of a choice Hitler holds all the cards. And Wilhelm has nothing to pressure Hindenburg with. Hindenburg will just deflect anything by arguing he must first save the country before doing something else. Hindenburg served his own interests first and above all else.

The crown prince wouldn't run against Hitler. He was a huge fan of Hitler in 1932. The whole idea of him running for president was based around having Hitler's support and making Hitler chancellor after winning the election. Additionally it was hoped that Hindenburg wouldn't run against a...