The Schlieffen Plan Failed Because Germany Underestimated Their Apponents Essay Example

just ten days.

With this flaw in the Schlieffen plan, Germany was forced to withdraw a large number of troops from Western Europe leaving fewer troops to deal with the British, French and Belgian armies. As the German Army moved through Belgium and Luxembourg they were met by the Belgian army who were originally neutral. The violation of the Belgian neutrality was seen as hardly a threat. The German’s believed that the Belgians would not be able to resist the powerful German Military. But as the Germans had to remove troops the army was much smaller and easier to attack.

Along with the Germans underestimating the Belgian armies courage they also underestimated their strength. With this major factor the Belgian army was able to hold off German troops and allow the British Expeditionary Force to reach France. The German’s had always believed the British would remain neutral. But as Germany invaded Belgian the French army called for the aid of the BEF. In August the Germans were successfully breaking through Belgium when the BEF was ordered to hold the line between Valenciennes and Maubeuge, the southern tip of Mons.

Germany suffered devastating losses by the steadiness and accuracy of the British as fire ripped into them. Nobody had counted the fact that the defensive weaponry had advanced much faster and greater than the offensive technology. Then as quickly as the British army started firing they withdrew. The German Schlieffen plan was going like clockwork. They blasted through the French border and were on their way to Paris. But Britain and France wouldn’t give up that easily.

They still fought the German Army right up to 60km South of Marne

where the German army ordered an abrupt retreat and began building trenches to end all hope of a short war. The Schlieffen plan had failed. Alfred Schlieffen’s initial assumptions had been flawed. The plan failed due not only to the mistakes made in execution but also due to the causes that could have been foreseen and dealt with. The German army underestimated their opponents at was what lead to the failure in the plan. The results of these mistakes lead Europe into the four long years of bitter trench warfare.