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The success of a coup de main depends absolutely upon luck rather than judgment.<br/>–Napoleon<br/><br/>The Schlieffen Plan in World War One did not start with the bang of opposing armies and flanking forces. Rather, it began with a relatively paltry sneak attack of six brigades also known as a coup de main. This small force was tasked to open the way into Belgium that was obstructed by the fortress at Liège. Conducting an unrehearsed attack, at night, in the pouring rain, with untrained soldiers turned out to be a bit much for the highly regarded German army. This English language account of the events of the sneak attack relies heavily upon references to both the German and the Belgian army. It is confounding and unimaginable as you walk through the attack with the Germans. The German Great General Staff had years to plan this. Yet, some basic realities were ignored. Get comfortable and prepare to take a journey to a little known or discussed event at the beginning of the war. This coup de main is known by its German name…HANDSTREICH!