Alfred von Schlieffen vs Walther von Brauchitsch

Schlieffen, as Chief of the German General Staff, developed the Schlieffen Plan. The plan called for a rapid invasion of France through neutral Belgium, then a turn to encircle Paris. It assumed Russia would mobilize slowly. The plan was modified by Moltke the Younger and failed in 1914.

Schlieffen retired as Chief of the German General Staff in 1906, succeeded by Helmuth von Moltke the Younger. He continued to advise on military matters and his plan remained the basis for German war planning. He died in 1913, before the outbreak of World War I.

Brauchitsch was appointed Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres (Commander-in-Chief of the German Army) after the Blomberg-Fritsch affair. He was a compliant figure who oversaw the army's preparations for World War II. He led the army during the invasions of Poland, France, and the Soviet Union.

Brauchitsch commanded the German Army during the successful invasion of France and the Low Countries. The campaign, based on the Manstein Plan, resulted in the rapid defeat of France and the evacuation of British forces from Dunkirk. This victory established German hegemony in Western Europe.

Brauchitsch commanded the German Army during the invasion of the Soviet Union. The initial campaign achieved massive encirclements and territorial gains. However, the failure to capture Moscow and the onset of winter led to a strategic defeat. Brauchitsch was blamed for the failure and resigned.

Brauchitsch resigned as Army Commander-in-Chief after the failure of Operation Typhoon and the Soviet counteroffensive at Moscow. Hitler assumed direct command of the army, a position he held for the remainder of the war. Brauchitsch's resignation marked the end of the army's professional independence.