ONLINE Zoom Meeting 'The Battle of the Frontiers' by Roger Penny
15 Sep

ONLINE Zoom Meeting 'The Battle of the Frontiers' by Roger Penny

On August 3rd, 1914, Germany declared war on France launching the Schlieffen Plan, aimed at putting France out of the war before the Russians threatened on the Eastern Front. What happened in those first crucial hours & days of the war is covered in detail during Roger’s talk.

Based on French sources, Roger begins with the Barrière de Fer and the influence of fortification on German plans and the influence of Russia on Allied strategy. This leads on to the fighting in Alsace Lorraine, the Trouée de Charmes, the savage encounters in the Ardennes, the Battles of Charleroi, and Guise and Mons together with the well-known sieges of Liege and Namur and the often-overlooked sieges of Longwy, Givet, La Fère and Mauberge.

Most students of the Great War will be aware of the bigger picture surrounding the Schlieffen Plan but few will have really detailed knowledge of the very first phase of the action. Roger will help plug that gap in your understanding.

This online talk is open to all.  You do not have to be a member of the Western Front Association to join this online meeting.  Details of how to join the meeting using Zoom are in Andy Thompson’s September Update email sent out to everyone on our email list.  If you don’t receive Andy’s emails please contact him at andy.ewt@gmail.com.

Roger’s talk starts at 8.00 pm but you can join the Zoom meeting at any time after 7.30 pm to chat to other attendees or to just listen in.

The photo shows German officers in the ruins of the French Fort de Boussois near Maubeuge, September 1914.  © IWM Q 57542

This is an ONLINE Zoom meeting. Please do not go to the Cobham Day Centre.
15 Sep 2021 20:00