Summary

Chapter 11: Liege and Alsace

Advance groups of the Germans entered the fray from the east and the French entered from the west. Regardless of what France did, the Germans proceeded to assault Liege in order to open up pathways across Belgium. The French charged into Alsace hoping to gin up nationalism at home. Over 1.5 million German soldiers in seven armies were being assembled along the Belgian and French fronts. Germany did not take the threat of resistance by the Belgians seriously. The Germans targeted the multiple forts at Liege. The Belgians had not kept the forts up to date and were manned by the oldest reservists. Extra defensive measures were ordered only days before the invasion and were not complete.

The Germans had a surprise weapon – a gigantic siege cannon that was so large and powerful that no one imagined it could be...