Changes

German forces would outflank the French fortresses in Lorraine by advancing through Belgium, according to the plan. In the original version, a large German force would swing around Paris and attack the French from the south. The most controversial feature of the plan was the proposed advance across Belgium, a nation whose neutrality was guaranteed by Britain and other countries.

German forces would outflank the French fortresses in Lorraine by advancing through Belgium, according to the plan. In the original version, a large German force would swing around Paris and attack the French from the south. The most controversial feature of the plan was the proposed advance across Belgium, a nation whose neutrality was guaranteed by Britain and other countries.

Schlieffen retired in 1906 and was replaced Moltke. In September 1914, the Germans under Moltke's command arrived at the Marne, a river north of Paris, after an exhausting march across Belgium and northeastern France. After briefly fighting with French and British forces, they stopped to wait for supplies. As the armies rested, they dug trenches. Four years of trench warfare followed.  

Schlieffen retired in 1906 and was replaced Moltke. In September 1914, German forces under Moltke's command arrived at the Marne, a river north of Paris, after an exhausting march across Belgium and northeastern France. After five days of fighting with French and British forces, they stopped to wait for additional supplies. As the armies rested, they dug trenches. Four years of trench warfare followed.  

In 1904, a copy of the Schlieffen plan was provided to French intelligence by an agent called Le Vengeur, but the French failed to take advantage of it.

In 1904, a copy of the Schlieffen plan was provided to French intelligence by an agent called Le Vengeur, but the French failed to take advantage of it.