What really happened with the Schlifflen Plan?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlieffen_Plan
see modifications to the Plan.
The Schlieffen Plan was a German military strategy developed before World War I to quickly defeat France then turn to the eastern front to confront Russia. The plan, named after its creator, Count Alfred von Schlieffen, aimed to avoid a two-front war for Germany.
To understand what really happened with the Schlieffen Plan, we need to look at the historical context and the execution of the plan itself.
1. Historical Context:
- Germany feared a war on two fronts with France in the west and Russia in the east.
- The plan assumed that Russia would take longer to mobilize its forces due to its vast territory and lack of efficient infrastructure.
- The German High Command believed that a swift victory in the west would enable them to redirect forces to the east to counter the Russians.
2. Execution of the Plan:
- According to the Schlieffen Plan, Germany would launch a massive right-wing assault through Belgium and Luxembourg into France, aiming to encircle and defeat the French Army.
- The plan required quick and decisive action to avoid being bogged down in a long war on the western front.
- However, the plan faced several challenges and deviations during execution:
a) Belgian resistance: Belgium's unexpected resistance slowed down the German advance, delaying their progress.
b) Building French and British resistance: The French and British forces put up stronger resistance than anticipated, resulting in prolonged battles.
c) Overextended supply lines: Germany's rapid advance and long supply lines led to logistical difficulties, affecting their operational efficiency.
d) Failure to encircle Paris: Due to various factors and tactical errors, the Germans could not completely encircle Paris as planned.
The Schlieffen Plan ultimately failed. It did not achieve the swift victory Germany had hoped for, leading to a prolonged and brutal war on the western front. The plan's rigid timetable and inability to adapt to changing circumstances contributed to its downfall.
To learn more about the details and significance of the Schlieffen Plan, I would recommend consulting historical sources, books, or academic articles.