The Schlieffen Plan was a German military strategy devised in 1905 by Count Alfred von Schlieffen, then Chief of the German General Staff, to address the challenge of fighting a two-front war against France in the west and Russia in the east
. Key elements of the Schlieffen Plan:
- Germany would launch a rapid, decisive offensive against France first, aiming to quickly defeat French forces by invading through Belgium and Luxembourg rather than attacking directly across the heavily defended Franco-German border
- The plan called for a massive right-wing sweep through northern France, enveloping French armies from the flank and rear, inspired by the ancient Battle of Cannae's double envelopment tactic
- Schlieffen anticipated that Russia would take longer to mobilize its forces, allowing Germany to concentrate most of its troops in the west for a swift victory over France before turning east to fight Russia
- The goal was to knock France out of the war within six weeks, preventing a prolonged two-front conflict
Implementation and outcome:
- The plan was put into action at the outbreak of World War I in August 1914 by Schlieffen's successor, Helmuth von Moltke the Younger, who made significant modifications such as reducing the size of the attacking force and diverting troops to defend Alsace-Lorraine and East Prussia
- German forces invaded Belgium, but unexpectedly strong Belgian resistance, the timely arrival of British Expeditionary Forces, and logistical difficulties slowed the advance
- The German offensive was halted at the First Battle of the Marne in September 1914, ending hopes of a quick victory and leading to a protracted stalemate and trench warfare on the Western Front
- Historians debate whether the plan's failure was mainly due to Moltke's alterations or other factors like Belgian resistance and British intervention
In summary, the Schlieffen Plan was Germany’s ambitious strategy to avoid a prolonged two-front war by quickly defeating France through a sweeping invasion via Belgium, then turning to fight Russia. Its failure contributed to the drawn-out and devastating nature of World War I
