Holmes, T. M. (2014). Absolute Numbers: The Schlieffen Plan as a Critique of German Strategy in 1914. War in History, 21(2), 193–213.It is generally believed that the younger Moltke altered the Schlieffen plan in 1914 by reducing the relative strength of the German right wing, but that is a myth: in proportion to the rest of his forces Moltke’s right wing was just as strong as Schlieffen’s. The real difference lay in the absolute number of troops involved in their respective plans. From his assessment of French defensive capability Schlieffen concluded that the German army would need at least 48.5 corps to succeed with an attack on France by way of Belgium, but Moltke planned to attack through Belgium with just 34 corps at his disposal in the west. The Schlieffen plan amounts to a critique of German strategy in 1914 since it clearly predicted the failure of Moltke’s underpowered invasion of France. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]
Miranda, Joseph. “The Battle of Mons and the Marne 1914.” Strategy & Tactics no. 186 (July-August 1997): 4-16 (available only in paper format at the library)
Scally, D. (2014, May 14). Profile: Helmuth von moltke. Irish TimesDespite his sensitive disposition, von Moltke had been calling for a preventative war with Britain, France and Russia since at least 1912. He served as a lieutenant in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71 and was nephew of Helmuth von Moltke the elder, a legendary field marshall, military strategist and, for three decades, chief-of-staff of the Prussian armed forces.
Weissenberger, J., & Koch, G. (2014, Sep 15). The indecisive battle of the marne. National PostHe proved a genius of orderly retreat, opportunistic repositioning, plugging holes, thickening stretched lines, bringing up reserves - all while eyeing the terrain and the state of the Germans for the moment to counterattack. Herwig describes Joffre as tirelessly shuttling among his army commanders, using modern technology, sacking those who failed him, making the most of aerial reconnaissance and battlefield intelligence, gaining first-hand knowledge and emitting a string of informed decisions.
