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The Schlieffen
Plan
Overview
In
1914, Germany believed war with Russia was extremely likely. If
war broke out, Germany assumed France would also attack as she was
both an ally of Russia and keen for revenge for her defeat in the
Franco-Prussian war.
If
this happened, Germany would face a war on two fronts. Germany
wanted to avoid this at all costs.
Germany
planned to defeat France rapidly and then turn to the eastern front for
a major offensive on Russia. This was the basis for the Schlieffen
Plan.
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Diagram
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Background
The
Germany Army Chief of Staff, Alfred von Schlieffen was asked to plan a
way of preventing a war on two fronts.
His initial plan was produced late in 1905.
He believed that it was a priority to defeat France quickly,
forcing them to surrender before Russia had a chance to mobilize her
armed forces.
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Von Schlieffen
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In
full knowledge of French defences, Schlieffen proposed attacking
France through Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg – the Benelux
countries. Schlieffen
planned to use 90% of German military forces to deliver a knock out
blow to France. The
remaining 10% would defend the eastern border of Germany against
Russian attack.
Von Molkte |
Von
Molkte replaced Von Schlieffen in 1906, and made some
alterations to the plan. His
version avoided invading Holland, instead concentrating attack
through Belgium. According
to Von Molke, the Belgium army would be unable to resist a
powerful German military, and German forces would rapidly enter
France. |
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Assumptions
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The
Reality
On
2nd August 1914, the German army invaded Luxembourg and
Belgium according to the Schlieffen Plan.
The
Germans were held up by the Belgium army, backed up by the BEF (British
Expeditionary Force) which arrived extremely quickly.
Russia
mobilised in just 10 days and Germany was forced to withdraw troops from
the Schlieffen Plan to defend her eastern border.
Germany
did not take the chance to take Paris, instead decided to attack east of
the capital. They were met by French at the battle of the Marne
(5-11 Sept) which halted the German advance.
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The
Schlieffen Plan's assumptions had been flawed. |
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Page
updated 23 January 2003
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