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The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 inspired Schlieffen to sketch a plan to invade France by deploying through Belgium. His "Memorandum for a War against France," or Schlieffen Plan as it was later called, ignored Russia altogether, an assumption justified by that country's preoccupation with the Far East at the time. The Germans would outflank the French and attack from the rear, according to the plan.

The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 inspired Schlieffen to sketch a plan to invade France by deploying through Belgium. His "Memorandum for a War against France," or Schlieffen Plan as it was later called, ignored Russia altogether, an assumption justified by that country's preoccupation with the Far East at the time. The Germans would outflank the French and attack from the rear, according to the plan.

When the Japanese defeated the Russians in 1905, the kaiser expressed interest in the plan. Schlieffen had to confess that the German army was not ready for war. The French had recoilless artillery, which the Germans lacked.<ref>Röhl, p. 416.</ref> The plan contemplated a significantly larger army than the one Schlieffen commanded. In fact, Schlieffen never used his plan as a basis for field exercises or detailed war planning.<ref>McFall, Kelly, "[https://networks.h-net.org/node/35008/reviews/43881/mcfall-zuber-inventing-schlieffen-plan-german-war-planning-1871-1914 McFall on Zuber, 'Inventing the Schlieffen Plan: German War Planning 1871-1914']"</ref> Whatever its value in war, the plan had proven itself as a tool for obtaining men and resources.

When the Japanese defeated the Russians in 1905, the kaiser expressed interest in the plan. Schlieffen had to confess that the German army was not ready for war. The French had recoilless artillery, which the Germans lacked.<ref>Röhl, p. 416.</ref> The plan contemplated a significantly larger army than the one Schlieffen commanded. In fact, Schlieffen never used his plan as a basis for field exercises or detailed war planning.<ref>McFall, Kelly, "[https://networks.h-net.org/node/35008/reviews/43881/mcfall-zuber-inventing-schlieffen-plan-german-war-planning-1871-1914 McFall on Zuber, 'Inventing the Schlieffen Plan: German War Planning 1871-1914']"</ref> Whatever its value in war, the plan proved itself as a tool for obtaining up-to-date weapons and more soldiers.

When Schlieffen retired in 1906, Wilhelm replaced him with Moltke, the emperor's former military adjutant. "The personal favour of the emperors...coupled with his great name, elevated him to offices for which he was completely unqualified," as ''Britannica'' puts it.<ref>"Moltke, Helmuth (Johannes Ludwig) von." ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2013.</ref> Schlieffen himself strong advised against the appointment.<ref>Röhl, p. 660.</ref>

When Schlieffen retired in 1906, Wilhelm replaced him with Moltke, the emperor's former military adjutant. "The personal favour of the emperors...coupled with his great name, elevated him to offices for which he was completely unqualified," as ''Britannica'' puts it.<ref>"Moltke, Helmuth (Johannes Ludwig) von." ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite.  Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, 2013.</ref> Schlieffen himself strong advised against the appointment.<ref>Röhl, p. 660.</ref>