Schlieffen Plan
The Schlieffen Plan was a strategic plan developed by the German General Staff in the early 20th century, particularly in the years leading up to World War I. It was named after its principal architect, Alfred von Schlieffen, who was the Chief of the German General Staff from 1891 to 1906.
Origins and Development
- The plan was formulated in response to the growing tensions in Europe and the anticipated possibility of a two-front war against both France and Russia.
- Schlieffen's initial concept was outlined in a memorandum in 1905, which was later revised multiple times due to evolving political and military circumstances.
- The primary goal was to quickly defeat France in the west, allowing Germany to then turn its full attention to the eastern front against Russia.
Key Elements
- Right Wing Strategy: The plan called for a massive sweep through neutral Belgium and into France, enveloping the French forces from the north. This would involve a right-wing of the German army moving through Belgium, with the aim of encircling the French army.
- Speed and Surprise: The strategy relied heavily on speed to outflank and encircle the French armies before they could mobilize fully, avoiding a war of attrition.
- Minimal Forces on the Eastern Front: Only a minimal force was to be left to hold off the slower-mobilizing Russian forces in the east, assuming Russia would take longer to mobilize.
Execution and Outcomes
- The plan was put into action at the onset of World War I in August 1914 but was modified by Schlieffen's successor, Helmuth von Moltke the Younger. These modifications included weakening the right wing and not committing fully to the sweep through Belgium, which altered the original strategy.
- The Battle of the Marne in September 1914 marked the effective end of the Schlieffen Plan when the German advance was halted, leading to a stalemate and the beginning of trench warfare.
- The failure to decisively defeat France early in the war led to the prolonged conflict of World War I.
Legacy and Critique
- The plan is often critiqued for its assumptions about the speed of mobilization and the underestimation of both Belgian resistance and the capabilities of the French and British forces.
- Its failure has been seen as a significant strategic blunder that contributed to Germany's ultimate defeat in World War I.
- The Schlieffen Plan has become a case study in military strategy, illustrating both the potential for grand strategic plans and their inherent risks when not executed as intended.
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