Disregard of the
neutrality of
Belgium and
Luxemburg. |
|
Continuing, he referred to a large-scale map and stated that for the purposes of war Luxembourg might be regarded as German and that there was reason to suppose that Germany would not hesitate to march through Southern Belgium. … |
Value of the
intervention of the
British Army. |
|
Moreover, although the Belgians would possibly be content to protest against the violation of their southern provinces, they would almost certainly fight if the Germans were to invade northern Belgium as well. The Belgian field army would number 80,000 men.
On the whole front the broad result was that, although the Germans could deploy 84 division against the French 66 and the garrisons of their frontier fortresses, the Germans could not concentrate their superior force against any one point. Our 6 divisions would therefore be a material factor in the decision. Their material value, however, was far less than their moral value, which was perhaps as great as an addition of more than double their number of French troops to the French Army would be. This view was shared by the French General Staff.
SIR EDWARD GREY agreed that our military support would be of great moral value to the French.
As to the Belgians, he thought that they would avoid committing themselves as long as possible in order to try and make certain of being on the winning side. |
