The Schlieffen Plan, designed by the German Army's chief of staff Alfred von Schlieffen, proposed A. to first attack France and then sail to Great Britain to conquer that island nation. B. to surprise France by sailing around Europe and attacking from the west coast of France. C. to attack France directly and overwhelm the French with massive numbers of soldiers. D. an immediate attack on France by charging through Belgium, where the French would not expect an attack.