The Schlieffen Plan What is a Schlieffen Plan

The Schlieffen Plan What is a Schlieffen Plan? Answer: A new German diet consisting entirely of very moist and smoky sausages

No, not really… • Actually the Schlieffen Plan was a military plan devised by Alfred von Schlieffen

General Alfred von Schlieffen Completed work on his plan in 1905. Retired in 1906.

• 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. • Look at the map of Europe and you can see why the Germans needed a good plan

Europe in 1914 www. germantown. org

If war happened, Germany would face a conflict 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.

Courtesy of www. schoolhistory. co. uk

• von Schlieffen’s 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.

• In full knowledge of French defences, Schlieffen proposed attacking France through Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg. 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 Moltke replaced Von Schlieffen in 1906, and made some alterations to the plan. His version avoided invading Holland, instead concentrating attack through Belgium. He believed the Belgium army would be unable to resist a powerful German military, allowing German forces to rapidly enter France.

ASSUMPTIONS • Russia would take at least 6 weeks to mobilise. • France would be easily defeated in 6 weeks. • Belgium would not resist any German attack. • Britain would remain neutral.

THE REALITY • On 2 nd 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 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 the French at the battle of the Marne (5 -11 Sept) which halted the German advance.

Battle of the Marne

The chance for a short war was lost! The Schlieffen Plan’s assumption had been flawed Whoops!

The Eastern Front • The news was not so promising for the Allies on the Eastern front. • The Russians suffered a devastating defeat at the Battle of Tannenburg. • Only 10, 000 of the 150, 000 Russian soldiers managed to escape. • Samsanov, the Russian commander committed suicide. • In Britain, all news of the Russian defeat at Tannenberg was kept from the public.

The world was at war!