The Guns of August
Chapter 22: Gentlemen, We Will Fight on the Marne
- Explain the resolution of the conflict between Joffre and Lanrezac.
Last Paragraph Page 496: Joffre fired Lanrezac.
- Why was the German right wing so confident that it would be victorious?
Page 493: The German right wing was so confident that they would be victorious because the French had been retreating for ten days so far. Also, they believed that the French were “incapable of the morale and energy required to turn around and fight.”
- What were the problems with the German advance through France?
The first problem was when Kluck disobeyed orders and crossed the Marne. Furthermore, the German was advancing with tired and weak men.
The supply trains and heavy artillery were outstripped.
The Germans ignored the French and had the least worries about their flank being attacked by the French.
- Why did Moltke halt the advance of the right wing?
Page 500:
Moltke halted the advance of the right wing because the “uncertainties and stresses of the campaign had weakened rather than strengthened his will. Furthermore, there were failing reinforcements for the right wing.
- Where was the real battle of the Marne said to be fought?
Page 501: The real battle of the Marne was fought over the telephone.
- Why did the French want to postpone their offensive attack on the Germans?
Page 503: The French wanted to postpone their offensive attack on the Germans because they wanted an extra day for “reinforcements to come up, for the 5th Army to prepare, and for more time in which to secure the cooperation of the British.”
- What did the Germans assume about the French and was their assumption wrong?
The Germans assumed that the French would not have forces available to threaten his flank. The Germans assumption was wrong because there were signs that the French retreat was not disorganized.
- What last conflict did Joffre and the entire French army have with the British and how was it resolved? Page 516:
The last conflict Joffre and the French Army had with the British was convincing the British to join them in the offensive attack.
The conflict was solved by Joffre yelling and the French responding “we will do all we possibly can.”