I am a historian with a deep interest in global conflicts, particularly the Great War, as World War I is also known. My expertise lies in analyzing the intricate details of military engagements and their impact on the course of history.

The first major battle of World War I was not the Battle of the Somme, as some might mistakenly believe, but rather the Battle of Liege, which took place from August 5 to August 16, 1914. This battle was a significant early engagement between the German and Belgian forces, and it set the stage for the broader conflict that would engulf Europe and much of the world.

The Battle of Liege was a critical moment in the war for several reasons. Firstly, it was the first significant test of the German Schlieffen Plan, a strategy designed to bypass the French defenses along the Franco-German border and quickly defeat France before turning east to face Russia. The plan relied on a swift and decisive victory, and the German advance through Belgium was a key component of this strategy.

The Belgian forces, although outnumbered, put up a fierce resistance at Liege. They utilized a series of twelve fortresses equipped with modern artillery to defend the city against the German onslaught. The German forces, under the command of General Otto von Emmich, employed siege guns to breach the fortresses, which were a new and terrifying addition to warfare at the time.

Despite the overwhelming firepower of the German artillery, the Belgian defense was tenacious. They managed to delay the German advance for over a week, which was a significant achievement given the disparity in forces. This delay had important strategic implications, as it disrupted the German timetable and allowed the French and British forces to mobilize and prepare for the German onslaught.

The Battle of Liege was also significant for the introduction of new military technologies and tactics. The use of siege guns and the tenacity of the Belgian defense highlighted the changing nature of warfare. It was a precursor to the trench warfare that would come to define the Western Front, where static defenses and heavy artillery played a central role.

In conclusion, while the Battle of the Somme was a pivotal and tragic engagement of World War I, it was not the first major battle. That distinction belongs to the Battle of Liege, which was a crucial early test of the German war machine and a demonstration of the resilience of the Belgian forces. The lessons learned from Liege would shape the strategies and tactics of the war that followed, making it a truly significant event in the annals of military history.

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The Battle of the Somme (1 July - 18 November 1916) was a joint operation between British and French forces intended to achieve a decisive victory over the Germans on the Western Front. For many in Britain, the resulting battle remains the most painful and infamous episode of the First World War.read more >>