2008/10/20 by Gerhard P. Groß · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Engineering · Mathematics · #Historical Geopolitical and Social Dynamics #World Wars: History, Literature, and Impact #German #Doctrine #Successor cardinal #Plan (archaeology) #World War II #Marshall Plan #Military doctrine #History #Mythology #Operations research #Military history #Political science #Law #Engineering #Classics #Archaeology #Cold war #Mathematics
paper · doi:10.1177/0968344508095447
openalex publication_date 2008/10/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
For almost ten years international military historians have been discussing Terence Zuber's thesis of the Schlieffen Plan being just a myth designed by the German general staff after the First World War to cover up the mistakes committed by German generals in that war. This debate, led with particular ferocity in War and History, is based on German files that Zuber was the first to study. The following paper, however, challenges Zuber's theories on the basis of files and maps Zuber failed to consider. It seeks to prove that there was a basic operational-strategic doctrine — the Schlieffen Plan — and Schlieffen's successor stuck unwaveringly to it, although a few operational modifications were made. This doctrine was even implemented by the Wehrmacht in the Second World War, albeit in a modified version.