Schlieffen

/ ˈʃliːfən /

noun

1. SchlieffenAlfred, Count von Schlieffen18331913MGermanMILITARY: general Alfred (ˈalfreːt), Count von Schlieffen. 1833–1913, German field marshal, who devised the Schlieffen Plan (1905): it was intended to ensure German victory over a Franco-Russian alliance by holding off Russia with minimal strength and swiftly defeating France by a massive flanking movement through the Low Countries. In a modified form, it was unsuccessfully employed in World War I (1914)

Example Sentences

Most significant, Germany roundly defeated France in the “Schlieffen War” and is now engaged in a prolonged conflict with Russia.

From Washington Post

Tension had steadily risen after the Schlieffen Plan to smash through Belgium and take Paris by storm bogged down in Flanders and northern France.

From US News

While believing that Britain could still be deterred from war against Germany he fervently encouraged the development of the Schlieffen plan to invade France through neutral Belgium; the one thing that would guarantee enlisting Britain as a belligerent.

From Economist

The lightning-fast Schlieffen plan aimed to bring German forces into Paris within weeks.

From US News

The generals had worked up the Schlieffen Plan for a two-front war.

From Time