The Real German War Plan, 1904-1914

by Terence Zuber

Based on recently discovered material in German archives, this bookfundamentally changes our understanding of German military planning before World War I
 
On the basis of newly discovered or long-neglected documents in German military archives, this book gives the first description of Schlieffen’s war plans in 1904 and 1905 and Moltke’s plans from 1906 to 1914. It explodes unfounded myths concerning German war planning, gives the first appraisal of the actual military and political factors that influenced it, proves conclusively that there never was a "Schlieffen Plan," and reveals Moltke’s strategy for a war against Russia from 1909 to 1912. Tracing the decline in the German military position and the recognition by 1913 that Germany would be forced to fight outnumbered on both the eastern and western fronts, it is an essential read for anyone with an interest in World War I.

Genres: World War I, Military Fiction, History

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2011

About the author

Dr. Terence Zuber is an American retired army officer and military historian whose primary field of study is the First World War. He received his BA (History) in 1970 from the University of Minnesota, and entered the U.S. Army that same year. He served primarily in infantry units, and also as VII (US) Corps liaison officer to the 12. Panzerdivision of the West German Bundeswehr. He retired as a Major in 1990. He earned both his MA (History) in 1996, and his PhD summa cum laude in 2001, from the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg.

Reviews

[Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zuber presents a pretty thorough case against the Schlieffen plan orthodoxy based on review of "recently" (in historical terms) uncovered documents. The information fills a large gap in the knowledge we had about the Great War. Any enthusiast of the Great War would be well served by reading the book.

I will admit that Zuber seems like either A) he's something of a jerk or B) He's a totally fine guy who's just gotten sore about debating the Schlieffen plan, because he's definitely got a knife out for a handful of other people. Some of his information is presented in a slightly disingenuous way to play to his goal. I myself am not a "German war guilt" person and believe that France and Russia deserve most of the blame for the July Crisis and the beginning of the war, and I agree that France and Russia had explicitly offensive war plans that were coordinated with a single target (Germany)... but to present Germany's war plan as merely defensive strikes as a bit... political, let's say.

Regardless, fascinating book. Recommend.

[Marc C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book, worth reading. A very good deconstruction of the Schlieffen Plan. Zuber’s findings seem irrefutable, yet recent books, like Loyd’s, The Western Front, still take the Schlieffen Plan as a given. I’d love read or hear a discussion on its existence by several historians. A very interesting book.

[R.M.F. Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a lad at school (cue violins) common wisdom, and the history programme, had it that the Germans swept through Belgium in 1914, almost defeated the French,British, and Belgians, and managed to give the Russians a bloody nose at Tannenberg in East Prussia or Poland, or wherever it is these days.

All of this was part of some 'grand plan' to win WW1 in one fell swoop, and to address Germany's strategic dilemma of fighting a war on two fronts. Turns out this 'common wisdom' was wrong, and Mark Twain was right when he said never let school interfere with your education.

What we have is a book, and a back and forth debate between eggheads in the various history journals.
Some may find it boring and pedantic. I, personally, find it fascinating.

Was there a master plan? Zuber says nay, others say yea.

Whatever the merits of each side's argument, at least we're getting a debate.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great points well presented destroy long cherished myths . I hope others read this book and have open minds. History is written by winners after each war

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 3 out of 5]

part marks
never overreach

[Paulo Migliacci · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most important thing Major Zuber has to say about the Schlieffen Plan is that there was no such thing as a Schlieffen Plan -and he's done the research to back up his claim. Interesting read, particularly when one takes into account the psychological role played by the Schlieffen Plan in WW2 (fear of a repeat led the Allies to a crappy deployment plan that made the German victory against France way easier than it should have been).

[Jur]

Zuber claims there never was a Schlieffen Plan and that Germany stumbled into war with plans that had been changing considerably before 1914 and not all been tested in wargames. Also a lot of stuff on the intelligence reports on French and Russian build up.

[Jason S]

So detailed that the narrative was very hard to follow. Could hav been significantly more engaging.