The Schlieffen Plan

By Gerhard Ritter,

Book cover of The Schlieffen Plan: Critique of a Myth

Book description

Using a copy of the Schlieffen Plan unearthed in 1953, Ritter examines the man and his plan for the German campaign to France through Belgium in 1914.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Schlieffen Plan as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Facing a two-front war against France, Britain, and Russia in 1914, Germany opted to strike west first against the French and English; win a quick victory by avoiding French fortresses with an outflanking push through Belgium; and then turn east against the Russians. This operational plan was the brainchild of former Chief of the General Staff Alfred von Schlieffen. In the 1920s, many German generals argued that the inept execution of Schlieffen’s plan explained their loss of the war. Ritter’s work is the classic critique of this argumentation, showing that in reality the flaws of the plan and Schlieffen’s narrow-minded…

From Eric's list on the German army in World War One.

Want books like The Schlieffen Plan?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Schlieffen Plan.

Browse books like The Schlieffen Plan

Book cover of Haig's Enemy: Crown Prince Rupprecht and Germany's War on the Western Front
Book cover of Tannenberg: Clash of Empires, 1914
Book cover of German Strategy and the Path to Verdun: Erich Von Falkenhayn and the Development of Attrition, 1870-1916

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,188

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Germany, France, and Belgium?

Germany 491 books
France 941 books
Belgium 46 books