World War I

1. World War I The Initial Stages

2. The Battle Plans • The Schlieffen Plan • Plan Seventeen • Plan R • British Expeditionary Force

3. The Schlieffan Plan

4. Plan Seventeen

5. Plan R

6. British Expeditionary Force (BEF)

7. 1 000 000 Soldiers…

8. …transported on 1000 trains …to the border of Belgium.

9. Germany: • 5 army groups were to advance quickly through Belgium. • 1 group to surround Paris. • This offensive was to last no more than 3 weeks.

10. France: • Send a diversionary attack through the lost territories of Alsace and Lorraine. • Retain the bulk of its army in Paris. • Meet the Germans at the River Marne 60 kms outside of Paris.

11. British • BEF=25 000 troops • Elite fighting force—marines • Attack Germans from behind as they march through Belgium. • Surround them with aid from the French

12. The Plans Unfold • Germany invades Belgium, but are slowed down by the Belgians at the Battle of Liege. • When Germany enters France, the French begin “taxi” their million army reserves out to meet them at the Marne River. • They fight. • Race to the Sea

13. Life in Trenches

18. Trench Foot