Schlieffen Plan
The Schlieffen Plan was a strategic military plan conceived by Alfred von Schlieffen, the Chief of the German General Staff from 1891 to 1906, to ensure a swift victory against France in the event of a two-front war with both France and Russia. Here are the key points about the plan:
Historical Context
- Origins: The plan was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Germany was concerned about the possibility of fighting a war on two fronts against France and Russia, especially after the 1904 Entente Cordiale between Britain and France, and the 1907 Anglo-Russian Entente, which created the Triple Entente.
- Objective: The primary goal was to defeat France quickly before Russia could fully mobilize its forces, thus avoiding a war on two fronts.
Details of the Plan
- Basic Strategy: The plan involved a swift invasion through neutral Belgium to outflank French defenses along the Maginot Line. This would allow German forces to envelop Paris, forcing France to capitulate rapidly.
- Right Wing: The majority of German forces would be concentrated on the right wing, moving through Belgium and Luxembourg, aiming for the Channel ports.
- Left Wing: A smaller force would engage French forces on the Franco-German border, mainly as a diversion.
- Speed: The plan relied heavily on speed; German forces were to advance with such velocity that they could sweep around Paris and cut off French communications and supplies.
Execution and Problems
- Modifications: After Schlieffen's retirement, his successor, Helmuth von Moltke the Younger, altered the plan by reducing the size of the right wing and strengthening the left wing, which diluted the original concept's effectiveness.
- 1914 Implementation: During the First World War, the plan was put into action. However, it encountered numerous issues:
- Belgian resistance was stronger than anticipated.
- Logistics and supply lines couldn't keep up with the pace of the advance.
- The left wing was not as weak as intended, leading to a more evenly distributed German force.
- The Battle of the Marne in September 1914 halted the German advance, leading to a stalemate and trench warfare.
Aftermath
- Failure: The failure of the Schlieffen Plan resulted in a prolonged war, which neither Germany nor its enemies had anticipated. It contributed significantly to the character of World War I, characterized by trench warfare and attrition.
- Legacy: The plan is often cited as an example of how strategic plans can be undermined by operational and logistical realities. It also highlights the dangers of over-reliance on a single strategic concept in military planning.
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