On this day, 112 years ago, on January 4, 1913 (November 27, 1912, the 1912 lunar calendar), Schliefen, the creator of the German offensive plan for World War I, passed away. Schlieffen, the creator of the German offensive plan for World War I, died on January 4, 1913. Alfred von Schliefen Alfred Graf von Schliefen (February 28, 1833-January 4, 1913) was a Field Marshal of Germany's outstanding and talented strategist. Count Schlieffen was born in Berlin, the son of a Prussian general. Joined the Army in 1854. In 1886, he was promoted to Major General. On December 4, 1888, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and served as Army Quartermaster General and Deputy Chief of Staff. In 1891, Schlieffen replaced Count Alfred von Wardesi as Chief of the German General Staff until his retirement on January 1, 1906. In 1911, he was promoted to Field Marshal. In 1905, he proposed the famous "Schlieffen Plan". But his Schlieffen Plan collapsed in 1914.