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Scenario Author:
RhinoBones
Author's E-mail Address:
RhinoBones@aol.com
Last Scenario Revision Date:
October 26, 1999
VERSION 2.0
Background
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Modern histories sometimes ascribe the failure of the German army to defeat the French at the Battle of the Marne to their deviation from the dictates of the Schlieffen Plan, i.e. encircle Paris from the West and capture the heart of France. While on the surface this would seem to be true there were many more factors involved which played substantial parts in deciding the outcome of the Battle of the Marne.
The original Schlieffen plan did not count on a rapid Russian participation in the war. In August, when Russian struck at both East Prussia and Galicia, upwards of two infantry corps and one division of cavalry were siphoned from the German right wing, the maneuvering force, for duty in the East. Another factor working against the German army was the distance and pace at which the initial advances had been conducted. The infantry was exhausted and the communications lines were stretched to the breaking point. A third factor was the perceived opportunity to completely destroy the French 5th Army, which was then retreating to the East of Paris. Although Paris was a tempting objective, Paris was going nowhere and it was certain that if permitted to, the 5th Army would quickly retreat out of harms way. The decision was made to destroy the 5th Army and pluck the fruit of Paris after the hard work was finished.
From the French point
of view the inevitable outcome of the war, as seen in early September,
could not be more distressing. It is at this moment in time that
the French Military Governor of Paris, General Gallieni, comes to the rescue
of France. At the end of August British air reconnaissance informs Gallieni
that the German right flank army is no longer headed for Paris but has
turned to the Southeast to chase the French 5th Army. Gallieni, who
has the newly formed 6th Army ready for the defense of Paris and whoÕs
existence the German staff is unaware of, immediately grasps the opportunity
to attack the exposed German flank and petitions French Field Marshal General
Joffre for a general counter offensive by all units between Paris and Verdun.
Some say that Joffre agrees mainly because he is incapable of formulating
a plan of his own, some say otherwise, the fact is that the French, along
with the remains of the BEF, do counter attack and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd
German armies draw back to regroup. Paris and France are saved.
Unfortunately, it will require four more years of warfare and the death
many millions more before the Battle of the Marne is recognized as the
turning point of the la grande guerre, the Great War.
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Remarks
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This scenario is designed to be played from the Allied (French) side
when used in the solitaire mode. In PBM games the German side will
usually have an advantage since they will be on the defensive .
. . give the French +2 in prestige.
Last Update Changes
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v1.0 11-10-98, Initial Release
v2.0 10-26-99, Significant relocation of the initial forces
and placement of the scenario objectives. Includes additions to the
geographic map descriptions and an updated equipment file. German units
set to par +10.
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