Chapter 21 Questions
Von Kluck’s Turn
1.
What main worry did Moltke have when certain signs of a rout or disorganized retreat didn’t appear?
(471)
Moltke’s commanders would report the French and English being “decisively beaten” but
he was suspicious because of a lack of the usual signs of a retreat or many prisoners.
Moltke had been told by his old chief Schlieffen that “a victory on the battlefield is of little
account if it has not resulted either in break through or encirclement. Though pushed
back the enemy will appear again on different ground to renew the resistance he
momentarily gave up. The campaign will go on..” This made Moltke worry.
2.
What was the specific attack plan that Von Kluck wished to initiate? (473-4)
He believed that the French were already beaten so he decided to round them up by
making an inward wheel. So instead of “brushing the Channel with his sleeve” he was
going to brush Paris in direct pursuit of Lanrezac’s Army. By doing this he would expose
his flank to attack by the forces falling back to Paris in front of him. He knew this but
believed it irrelevant. Also he believed that the French were distraughtly retreating and
would have no chance to reorganize or be reinforced, and that all the other available
armies were busy.
3.
st
What was the “ugly surprise” Kluck received on September 1 ? (476)
On their way Von Kluck’s army ran into the heels of the British who were able to turn
around to fight with the Germans
4.
nd
The night of September 2 , Moltke developed second thoughts on Kluck inward wheel that exposed a
flank that could be attacked. What was Moltke’s plan to solve that and how did Kluck respond?


5.
On September 2nd Moltke began to wary about Kluck’s flank that was exposed to
Paris so he issued a new General Order. It said to keep Kluck’s turn, ordering the
First and Second Armies to drive the French away from Paris in a southeast
direction. But it attempted to guard against danger by ordering Kluck army to follow
“in echelon behind the 2nd army” and be “responsible for the flank protection of the
Armies”.
Kluck was very insulted. He believed it was worse than being put under Bulow’s
orders. So because he was so insulted he issued his own orders “to continue its
advace over the Marne tomorrow in order to drive the French southeastward.” To
protect the flank exposed to Paris he left his weakest units.
What was the French plan? (479)
By September the French have failed a lot. So they decided to make a new plan to
combat their issues. The aim: survival. The French new that the German advance would
be from Verdun to Paris, so the plan was to cut off the marching wing of the German
Army by attacking the German center (like Plan 17). Now if the French lost it would be
final. Joffre issued General No. 4 which said that the 3rd, 4th, and 5th armies were to
continuing retreating until they hit the Seine and Aube. Once the army had escaped
envelopment they would resume the offensive.
6.
What was the important message Gallieni had given to Joffre after Gallieni was informed by a “frantic”
government? What did Joffre later inform Gallieni? (page 481)
Chapter 21 Questions
Von Kluck’s Turn
Joffre left Paris uncovered by retreating the armies. He told the government to leave
Paris just in case. Gallieni called Joffre after he had learned of this. Joffre avoided
speaking to Gallieni when he called but Gallieni left the message was “we are in no
condition to resist…General Joffre must understand that if Maunoury cannot hold, Paris
cannot withstand the enemy. Three active corps must be added to the forces of the
fortified camp.” Later Joffre called back saying that Maunoury’s Army was now under his
order and thus would be mobile troops of the fortified camp of Paris.
7.
st
nd
Just outside Paris, in Pontoise, how were the 61 and 62 divisions and the general public reacting?
(page 482)
The 61st and 62nd Divisions were in disorder and dismay. Tuchman says “the troops who
had been caught in severe combat as they retreated were wearied and bloody; the local
population was in panic at the sound of the guns and at reports of Uhlans in the
neighborhood”.
8.
What was brought late at night by Captain Fagalde, the Intelligence Officer of the Fifth Army, and how did
this greatly inform the French of Kluck’s “Turn?” (pg 483-485)
At night a German bag was brought to Captain Fagalde. This bag contained Kluck’s
battle plans concerning the “turn”. This informed them that Kluck would forgo an attack
on Paris so the government didn’t need to leave. Joffre still told the government to leave
though.
9.
What did Gallieni post to the citizen of Paris? (pg 487)
After the government abandoned Paris Gallieni posted to the citizens of Paris a
proclamation to dispel rumors that Paris was going to be an open city that said:
The members of the Government of the Republic have left Paris to give a new impulse
to the national defense. I have received a mandate to defend Paris against the invader.
This mandate I shall carry out to the end.
10. What did Clergerie and Girodon cry out together in response to their acquisition of Von Kluck’s intentions
and movements given by an aviator of the Paris garrison? What did this mean for France? (pg 490)
Clergerie and Girodon cried out in response to the aviator’s information “they offer us
their flank! They offer us their flank!” This meant that Paris would be left out and that the
French would have a chance to attack the Germans and maybe win.
11. What was the “fateful decision” that Von Kluck was considering? (471)
Kluck’s “fateful decision” was whether or not to change his armies direction from due
south to southeast.