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 Rank: Vice-Master    Groups: Registered
Joined: 26/05/2014 Posts: 912 Points: 2,773 Location: East Sussex UK
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jase wrote:Gibbo wrote:Thanks Jase, most informative, and extremely well written, looking forward to the next installment.
Paul Many thanks Paul. just gauging interest at the moment to see if it is worth the effort. but if people are interested ill keep doing it J If not it will be a great shame, either way mate carry on with it ,it sounds like it will be a good book at the end of the day Paul Building: DelPrado HMS Victory. Building: DeAgostini Sovereign Of The Seas.
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September 1914As the war entered September all sides were beginning to feel the pressure. The Allies were still falling back effectively a fighting rearguard was the best the Allies could put up. On the 2nd September The French government made the decision to transfer the centre of power from Paris to Bordeaux. A day earlier Lord Kitchener had arrived in France to consult with the British Commander-in-Chief, review the military situation and the options.
The German advance was under pressure to. pushing through the fortified defences in Belgium had taken to much time The Germans like the Alies new that the clock was ticking on the fighting season. Leaves were changing colour, the temperature dropping and the long summer days would soon be gone. The approaching winter weather would seriously hamper the advance across France.
All the Generals were feeling the pressure as five German Armies stretching out from Amiens to verdun raced towards Paris. In fact by september the German First Army had nearly 30 miles to cover to reach the outskirts of Paris and, the German Government hoped, a swift end to the War or at least the Western European action. The British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.) crossed the Marne river to the south and took up position east of Paris between the French Sixth and Fifth Armies. The was the moment the B.E.F halted their retreat ready to defend Paris.
The Schlieffen Plan, that had to this point been closely followed by the German forces, envisaged an attack on the city from the North. But this had been revised to a joint assault by two armies one from the east one from the west. The GermanFfirst Army was commanded by the 68 year old Alexander Heinrich Rudolph von Kluck. Kluck was stocky bald man sporting a neatly trimmed moustache, an imposing figure and an aggressive tactician he had been wounded twice and sported with pride his Iron cross 2nd Class. His First army after having engaged the B.E.F at Mons and Le Cateau had then given chase to the French Fifth Army during the great retreat. The German second Army was commanded by Karl Wilhelm Paul von Bülow, A Prussian bulldog of impeccable military breeding. Bülow also had the Iron Cross 2nd Class but was a more considered and cautious tactician than Kluck.
As Von Bulow closed on Paris he anticipated an engagement with the French fifth and halted his advance. Much to the annoyance of Kluck, he received a request that was more of a demand, from Bulow for support. By this time Kluck was only 13 miles from Paris and well south of Bulow's Army. despite Kluck's frustrations with the situation he turned his forces to the south east to support Bulow's stalled advance.
This was the break the Alies needed. Kluck's change in direction opened up a 30 mile gap in the German lines and exposed Klucks right flank. Unbeknown to the German Genrals the new Sixth Army was being formed under the 73 year old General Michel-Joseph Maunoury the New Sixth army was primarily comprised of 80,000 reservists and 2nd rate combatants with some redeployed front line troops. A combination of radio intelligence and aerial reconnaissance confirmed the redirection of Kluck's army. On 5th September Maunoury attacked Kluck's right flank With a small element of his Army that he rushed into action in 600 commandeered taxicabs! this became the opening move for the First Battle of the Marne.
Kluck moved quickly to plug the gap in the lines but on the 8th September the French Fifth Army now under the command of Franchet D'Esperey launched its counter attack at Bulow's forces. Despite the fact that Kluck was responding well to the situation it was becoming apparent that there was significant lack of coordination between the two German Generals, Kluck appears to have not been keeping his HQ accurately appraised of the situation either. The german Headquarters decided, based upon the information at hand. With Bulow stalled and under heavy attack Kluck trying to restore the line and the B.E.F now marching to explore the gap in the German lines the decision was made to pull back the German forces 40 miles behind the River Aisne to restore the line. This created the fighting front for the next four years of entrenched warfair.
The Germans had now lost momentum, surprise, and manoeuvrability and also the initiative. What could have happened is still the subject of much debate. could the Schlieffen Plan have delivered the knock out blow to France? The French government would have been hard pressed to accept terms if paris had fallen. I believe that the german forces had enough momentum to compleat the job if below had continued to press his advance. behind the swans the French were having to negotiate hard with the British to keep the B.E.F in the fighting the newly forming sixth Army was not of sufficient calibre to overcome Kluck's forces. The fall of Paris would, without doubt brought the western European war to different conclusion and with it the whole history of 20th Century Europe would have changed, bit it did not, Paris Stood and Europe defended into an attritional deadlock that would see war craft, society, european culture and economic demography change forever.
Although the German forces had withdrawn in good order the The First Battle of the Marne was a strategic victory for the Allied Forces. The opening phase of the Great War had ended in a stalemate that was going to need a huge push of force and the ability to manoeuvre quickly to break. but for now the race was on to shore up the lines and grab the all important costal ports and supply roots.September Timline1st September
Lord Kitchener visits France to confer with the British Commander-in-Chief.
Craonne taken by German forces
Soissons taken by German forces
First unit of Indian Expeditionary Force "C" arrives at Mombasa
General J. Stewart takes over command of British forces in East Africa
2nd September
Battle of Zamosc-Komarow ends
Japanese forces land in Shantung to attack Tsingtau
French Government transferred from Paris to Bordeaux
3rd September
Battle of the Mortagne ends
Lemberg captured by Russian forces
H.M.S. "Speedy" sunk by mine off the Humber.
Benedict XV elected Pope
Prince William of Wied leaves Albania
French Government inform united States Government that they will observe "Declaration of London" subject to certain modifications.
4th September
Battle of the Grand Couronné (Nancy) begins
German Government agree to observe "Declaration of London" if other belligerents conform thereto, and issue their list of contraband.
5th September
End of the Retreat from Mons
Battle of the Ourcq begins.
Battles of the Western Front: German Advance Blocked at the Marne
German forces reach Claye, 10 miles from Paris (nearest point reached during the war).
Reims taken by German forces
Lille evacuated by German forces
H.M.S. "Pathfinder" sunk by submarine in the North Sea
Battle of the Masurian Lakes begins
German forces cross frontier of North Rhodesia. Defence of Abercorn begins (see 9th).
British, French, and Russian Governments sign the "Pact of London." Decision not to make separate peace
6th September
Battle of the Marne begins
Serbian passage of the Save. Serbian operations in Syrmia begin (see 11th).
Affair of Tsavo (East Africa).
7th September
Maubeuge capitulates to German forces
Battle of Tarnavka (Galicia) begins
Naval operations off Duala (Cameroons) begin, in preparation for attack by Allied military forces.
8th September
Austrian forces begin second invasion of Serbia
Battle of the Drina begins
Second Battle of Lemberg begins
General Sir John Maxwell takes over command of British forces in Egypt
9th September
German retreat from the Marne begins (see 6th).
Battles of the Western Front: German Advance Blocked at the Marne
Battle of Tarnavka ends
Turkish Government announce abolition of "The Capitulations."
Affairs near Karonga (Nyassaland). First important fighting.
Defence of Abercorn (Rhodesia) ends. German force retreats
First units of Indian Expeditionary Force "A" arrive at Suez
10th September
Battle of the Marne ends
Semlin (Syrmia) occupied by Serbian forces
German light cruiser "Emden" makes her first capture in the Indian Ocean (Greek collier "Pontoporos")
German and Austrian representatives expelled from Egypt
11th September
Second Battle of Lemberg ends
Austrian forces in Galicia retreat
Serbian advance in Syrmia abandoned
British Government issue orders for the raising of the second New Army of six divisions
Australian Expeditionary Force lands on the Bismarck Archipelago (German New Guinea).
12th September
Battle of the Grand Couronné (Nancy) ends
Battle of the Aisne 1914 begins
Battles of the Western Front: The Germans Entrench their Positions on the Aisne
13th September
Soissons and Amiens reoccupied by French forces.
British Government issue orders raising third New Army of six divisions.
14th September
Reims evacuated by German forces
Action between British armed merchant cruiser "Carmania" and German armed merchant cruiser "Cap Trafalgar" in the South Atlantic : latter sunk.
General von Moltke resigns as Chief of the General Staff of the German Field Armies, and is succeeded by General von Falkenhayn
15th September
Battle of the Aisne 1914 ends
Battle of the Masurian Lakes ends
Czernowitz (Bukovina) taken by russian forces
17th September
German New Guinea and surrounding Colonies capitulate to Australian Expeditionary Force (
Serbian forces in Syrmia withdrawn. Semlin evacuated .
British Naval Mission leaves Turkey.
Admiral Souchon (Imperial German navy) assumes control of Turkish navy.
18th September
General von Hindenburg appointed Commander-in-Chief of German Armies in Eastern Theatre
19th September
First units of Indian Expeditionary Force "A" leave Egypt for Marseilles
First bombardment of Reims Cathedral by German artillery
Cattaro bombarded by French squadron.
Lüderitzbucht (German South-West Africa) occupied by South African forces.
British and French Governments guarantee to Belgium the integrity of her colonies.
Secret agreement for mutual support concluded between Russian and Rumanian Governments.
20th September
H.M.S. "Pegasus" sunk by German light cruiser "Königsberg" at Zanzibar
21st September
Noyon retaken by French forces .
Jaroslaw (Galicia) taken by Russian forces
German armed forces in New Guinea surrender to the Australian Expeditionary Force
.
22nd September
First Battle of Picardy begins
First Battle of Albert begins
H.M.S. "Aboukir", "Hogue" and "Cressy" sunk by German submarine "U.-9."
Admiral von Spee's squadron bombards Papeete in Tahiti
German light cruiser "Emden" bombards Madras
First British air raid on Germany (Düsseldorf and Cologne airship sheds attacked)
First use of wireless telegraphy from aeroplane to artillery (by British Royal Flying Corps).
23rd September
British force joins Japanese army before Tsingtau [Force landed September 22nd ; in action September 24th.]
24th September
Péronne taken by German forces
Przemysl isolated by Russian forces. First siege begins
Russian forces begin first invasion of North Hungary
25th September
Noyon retaken by German forces
First Battle of Albert ends
Actions on the Niemen begin
26th September
First Battle of Picardy ends
Bapaume occupied by German forces
First units of Indian Expeditionary Force "A" land at Marseilles
27th September
Siege of Antwerp begins
First Battle of Artois begins
Duala (Cameroons) captured by Allied forces
28th September
Malines taken by German forces.
Distinctive markings on German aircraft first reported
Lieut.-General Sir A. Barrett appointed Commander-designate of Indian Expeditionary Force "D" for Mesopotamia
29th September
German offensive on the Niemen abandoned
30th September
Arras reoccupied by French forces
Related model kits[color=black]Armed cruiser Carmania - http://www.anticsonline.co.uk/1699_1_2486900.html
Light cruiser konigsburg - http://www.freetimehobbi...man-light-cruiser-1914/
Light cruise Emden - http://www.jumbliesmodel...l-kit-1-350-scale-p5618
Royal Artillery - http://tommyswar.co.uk/p...ery-1st-september-1914/[/color]“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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October 1914The Race to the sea. Thats the term you will commonly see used by historians to describe the events that followed the stall of the German advance. But that was not the goal, it was the result. Some historians will tell you that the German Army fell back and failed to regain the initiative resulting in them holding the line, but that too is a simplification. As October began the Germans were still very much in control of the fighting. They had pulled back in very good order. The french were both disorientated and exhausted and the British Expeditionary Force although in good order were questioning the viability of the war in the face of such a well organised enemy.
Its important to understand where the opposing armies stood in terms of moral and focus to clearly understand the fighting and manoeuvring of October. The Germans were still focused on their singular goal, the capture of Paris which would trigger the capitulation of France allowing Britain to seek terms with Germany and subsequently allow the Axis to concentrate efforts on Russia. The British had, for now, been convinced to stay in the battle and there was still a political will to honour the Pact with Belgium and see a withdrawal of German forces. The French, as you would imagine had an unswerving drive to both defend Paris and push the German Armies back of French soil. The one thing that all combatants had in common was determination. All sides had suffered defeats and all could still see victory.
For the German Army to push on to Paris again it needed to take the Allies northern flank enveloping and pushing past the Allied force. For the Allied forces to defeat the german armies they also needed to take the northern Flank cutting of the Axis from its supply and enveloping the german forces. Both sides now kept moving North and probing the line as they went. The Germans dug in behind them as the moved north the Allies more often and not were moving to defend and plug gaps. often the German army would find there only resistance were french territorial forces rather than first class forces, the french continually plugged gaps and shored up its forces. The fighting to capture the unoccupied ground on each other's northern flank, the German drive to capture more French ground and reach Paris, against the French determination to hold up their enemy's advance resulted in the movement of the armies in a north-westerly direction towards the coast. The opposing armies skirmished and engaged in battle as the armies sidestepped one another towards coast and the Channel ports of Calais, Dunkirk, Ostend and Zeebrugge
Some of the heaviest fighting took place around the city of Arras in the region of Artois. Increasingly exhausted and poorly-equipped French soldiers time and time again were confronted with elite German troops but, despite the considerable losses, the Allied lines held.
Following the fighting on the Aisne, the British Expeditionary Force moved north-west to strengthen the French left Flank. British forces travelled by bus from Abbeville to take up positions between Béthune and Ypres. The French Cavalry positioned themselves between the BEF and the French Army. However on October 12th the french lost control of the small town of Vermelles. the BEF was obliged to move south and shire up the breach. The following day very heavy fighting broke out between the British and Germans at Givenchy-lès-La Bassée and Cuinchy in what would become 4 days of constant fighting. The BEF managed to slowly push back the german forces until the a ferocious counter attack at Aubers Ridge pushed the BEF back. The British had more success in the north of the battle area retaking Mont des Cats, on 13 October, then Méteren and Mont Noir. Despite heavy rain that grounded the arial reconnaissance aircraft the BEF continued to push taking Bailleul, Kemmel Hill and Messines, re-establishing a continuous front line from Ypres to La Bassée Canal.
October 1914 was a period of very heavy mobile fighting notable battles were:
The First Battle of Artois, (27th September - 10th October 1914)
The Battle of La Bassée (10th October - 2nd November 1914)
The First Battle of Arras (1st October - 4th October 1914)
The First Battle of Messines (12th October - 2nd November 1914)
The Battle of Armentières (13th October - 2nd November 1914)
The Battle of the Yser (16th October - 10th November)
The First Battle of Ypres (19th October - 22nd November 1914)
The Battle of Langemarck (21st October - 24th October 1914)
The Battle of Gheluvelt (29th October - 31st October 1914)
The result of all this fighting was stalemate. a continuous front line now ran to the sea and this would more or less be the front line for the next 4 years. Many historians will tell you this was the beginning of trench war fair. well in some ways it was but that certainly was not the intention of any of the combatants defending their positions. At this point both sides were looking for the opportunity to break the front and continue the advance, you can argue that is what effectively happened during the 4 years of trench war fair that ensued and that would be true, but for me trench war fair, as an intended battle format did not start until the germans decided to hold the line and focus on knocking out Russia.
What nobody was yet to grasp was that the war was about to become a battle of economies as much, or maybe even more than a war of attrition.October Timeline1st October
First Battle of Arras begins
2nd October
Termonde (Belgium) taken by German forces.
Indian Expeditionary Force "E" formed in Egypt
3rd October
Ypres occupied by German cavalry
British army begins to leave the Aisne and to move northwards
First units of British Royal Naval Division (Marine Brigade) arrive at Antwerp
First contingents of Canadian and Newfoundland Expeditionary Forces leave for England
Retreat of Austro-Hungarian forces in Galicia ends
Maramaros-Sziget taken by Russian forces
4th October
Lens and Bailleul occupied by German forces
First Battle of Arras ends
Austro-Hungarian counter-offensive in Galicia begins
Provisional Government under Essad Pasha set up in Albania at Durazzo
6th October
Units of British 7th Division disembark at Ostend and Zeebrugge to co-operate with Belgian army
7th October
Maramaros-Sziget retaken by Austrian forces
Belgian Government transferred from Antwerp to Ostend
Evacuation of Antwerp begun.
Japanese naval forces occupy Yap Island
8th October
General Foch appointed to command Allied forces (excluding Belgians) defending the Flanders coast
Second British air raid on Germany (Düsseldorf and Cologne airship sheds attacked)
First Russian invasion of North Hungary ends
9th October
Merville, Estaires, Armentières, and Hazebrouck taken by German forces
Menin occupied by German forces (probable date).
Last forts of Antwerp taken by German forces
First German offensive against Warsaw. Battles of Warsaw and Ivangorod begin
Przemysl relieved by advancing Austrian forces. End of First siege
10th October
Antwerp capitulates to German forces
Hazebrouck and Estaires captured by British forces
Battle of La Bassée begins
Protocol signed by United States of America and Panama as to use of Panama Canal by ships of belligerent Powers.
King Charles of Rumania dies, and is succeeded by his son Ferdinand.
11th October
Merville retaken by British forces
Russian cruiser "Pallada" sunk by German submarine off Hangö.
German gunboat "Komet" captured by H.M.A.S. " Nusa " near Talassia
12th October
Battle of Messines 1914 begins
First Battle of Artois ends
Ostend and zeebrugge evacuated by Belgian forces
Lille capitulates to German forces
Ghent evacuated by Belgian forces and occupied by German forces
13th October
Battle of Armentières begins
Ypres reoccupied by Allied forces retreating from Ghent
First appearance of a German submarine on the Southampton-Havre troop-transport route reported.
Battle of Chyrow (Galicia) begins
Belgian Government set up at Havre
14th October
Bailleul occupied by British forces
Bruges occupied by German forces
Yabasi (Cameroons) captured by Allied forces.
15th October
Belgian coast-line reached by German forces
Zeebrugge and Ostend occupied by German forces
First units of Canadian and Newfoundland Expeditionary Forces land in England
H.M.S. "Hawke" sunk by German submarine in North Sea.
16th October
Battle of the Yser begins
New Zealand Expeditionary Force leaves New Zealand for France
Indian Expeditionary Force "B" leaves India for East Africa
First units of Indian Expeditionary Force "D" leave India for the Persian Gulf
17th October
Armentières recaptured by Allied forces
Action by H.M.S. "Undaunted" and destroyers with four German destroyers off Dutch coast: latter all sunk.
First British submarines ("E.-1" and "E.-9") enter the Baltic.
German submarines attempt raid on Scapa Flow
First units of Australian Imperial Force embark for France
18th October
First bombardment of Ostend by British warships
Roulers taken by German forces
Grand Fleet withdraws from Scapa Flow to West of Scotland
Japanese light cruiser "Takachiho" sunk by German destroyer off Tsingtau.
19th October
Battles of Ypres 1914 begin
Transfer of British army from the Aisne to Flanders completed
First Indian units reach the Flanders front
Battle of Warsaw ends
20th October
Battle of Ivangorod ends
First merchant vessel,British S.S. "Glitra", sunk by German submarine
22nd October
Czernowitz (Bukovina) reoccupied by Austrian forces
United States Government issue Circular Note to belligerent Governments stating that they will insist on existing rules of International Law
23rd October
Advanced troops of Indian Expeditionary Force "D" arrive at the Bahrein Islands (Persian Gulf)
25th October
General Sir C. Douglas, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Great Britain, dies [
26th October
German forces begin an unprovoked invasion of Angola
Edea (Cameroons) occupied by French forces.
General Sir .J. Wolfe Murray appointed Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Great Britain
27th October
H.M.S. "Audacious" sunk by mine off coast of Donegal.
28th October
Czernowitz (Bukovina) reoccupied by Russian forces
German cruiser "Emden" raids Penang Roads and sinks Russian cruiser "Zhemchug"
29th October
Battle of Gheluvelt (Ypres) begins
Turkey commences hostilities against Russia . Turkish warships bombard Odessa, Sevastopol, and Theodosia.
Prince Louis of Battenberg, First Sea Lord, Great Britain, resigns
30th October
Stanislau (Galicia) taken by Russian forces
Serbian forces begin retreat from the line of the Drina
Allied Governments present ultimatum to Turkey
Great Britain and France sever diplomatic relations with Turkey.
Italian Cabinet resign. New Cabinet formed. Signor Salandra remains Premier
British hospital ship "Rohilla" wrecked off Whitby.
Lord Fisher appointed First Sea Lord, Great Britain
31st October
Critical day of Battles of Ypres, British line broken and restored
Battle of Gheluvelt ends
H.M.S. "Hermes" sunk by German submarine in Straits of Dover.
British Government issue orders for hostilities to commence against Turkey
First units of Indian Expeditionary Force "B" arrive at Mombasa
General Stewart succeeded in command of British forces in East Africa by General Aitken
Lord Kitchener sends to Sherif of Mecca conditional guarantee of Arabian independence Related model kitsRussian Protected cruder Pallada - http://combrig-models.co...350/459-pallada1902-350
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Light Cruiser Zhemchug - http://combrig-models.co...60-1917/93-zhemchug1904
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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Jase, a wonderful and fascinating read... thanks for your efforts and for sharing....  Regards Alan
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