Large German railway depots near the frontier exceeded the needs of ordinary trade and made the likely line of advance visible. Knowing the route did not establish how quickly the campaign would develop. Germany gambled that Belgium would permit passage, while the Allies hoped it would resist. The uncertainty therefore concerned political resistance and the progress of operations as well as the direction of the attack.
Notable Point · 15:53-17:09
German rail depots exposed the route, Belgian resistance remained uncertain
Visible railway preparations revealed Germany's likely approach while the response of Belgium remained a major gamble.