All Quiet On The Western Front By Barbara Tuchman

This novel provided the best narratives of the first junctures of World War , and following battles, from the history prior to the war, and the Franco British offensive which halted the German Army advancing to Paris, France. The ramification, there and a half years of trench and gas warfare. The chronicles of Barbara Tuchman include, but not limited to the war planing on both sides, Germany and France, which inevitably lead to war between these two nations, forcing other nations into war as well with the allies. Focusing mostly on the Western front, and the background of World War I, Mrs. Tuchman was able to clearly articulate the events preceding the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the presumptive heir to the Austro-Hungarian

This set the prominence for the later, which was inevitable, World War I. The assignation of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, was the tipping point and the “necessary” action for German to go on the offensive. This novel reached into the depths of the early part of WW1, specifically the work ups and planing and the early part of the war, mostly the first month, western front specifically; removing itself from the “Austria-Hungary, Serbia, Russo-Austrian ad Serbo-Austrian fronts.” (Tuchman xx) This Pulitzer Prize winning author accomplished nothing short of perfection with her research on this subject. Her accolades speak for themselves. The summation of this novel is best described as, “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week,” (General George S. Patton) the Germans first mistake, trying to execute a plant to the “t” without deviation initially, resulting in cascading effects that have stained the history of our

Aug. 1st, 1914, war was declared by Austria on Serbia, Germany declaring war shortly after, against France and Russia. Many facets can be attributed to the German “withdraw/surrender” from World War I, many say it was the war that was inevitable, others say it was an unnecessary evil, but it happened regardless. The author believed that the Germans deciding to use reserve units on the front line, eventually fighting a two front battle, underestimating the Belgium resistance, and most of all, the godlessness thought process by the OHL, are just some of the few examples of the outcome of the war and why such atrocities played out like they did. A lack of sheer will and faith, as one must understand what he is fighting for; a higher purpose? Nov. 8th, 1918, Germany surrenders, after the last Commander in Chief of the German Army, General Von Kluck, urges the high command to surrender. The Battle of the Marne, “Miracle of the Marne” was the battle that ended with the Germans retreating, thus drawing an end to the german victory in France/Europe.French soldiers where told to attack at all costs as the German soldiers where on their last leg, severely exhausted by all the marching and lack of supplies. Eighteen days into the Battle