ABSTRACT
In these problems, Schlieffen required his subordinates to address the problem of covering the deployment of the Westheer from a French attack.1 They are asked to play the role of the Commanding General of the XVI Army Corps (based in Metz) and are given reinforcement from the II Bavarian Corps and the VIII Army Corps. From these problems, it is clear how important Schlieffen felt the railways were for flexibility in the deployment of the German army. The problems are also notable for the fact that they are based upon the assumption that the French opened the war with an invasion of Luxemburg, demonstrating the potential threat posed to the German deployment from the direction of the neutral countries along the western border.
