gets his hands on some fields and fences.
Moltke & His Generals: A Study in Leadership
When Helmuth von Moltke took over as Chief of the Prussian General Staff, the Prussian army had not fought for more than 40 years. Yet within a decade and a half, he had brought it to the point where it was the strongest in Europe. His successes on the battlefield led to his methods being painstakingly analyzed by commentators and slavishly imitated by Western armies.
His success was not only due to farsighted strategic planning, the comprehensive reorganization of the General Staff, and his grasp of new technologies; it was also due to his leadership of a talented, if disparate, group of subordinates, even if some of them sometimes failed to grasp his overall intentions.
This book examines these key relationships. Foremost among these was his collaboration with the able though choleric Karl Leonhard von Blumenthal – their correspondence reflected every aspect of their campaigns. He was also close to the Crown Prince, whose aide de camp he had been. Moltke was Chief of Staff to Prince Frederick Charles in Denmark in 1864 – his admiration for the Red Prince was perhaps not maintained when the latter's caution caused problems. Albrecht von Stosch, Intendant General in 1870-1871, proved brilliantly successful when he had the chance to demonstrate his talents in the field. Edwin von Manteuffel, on whose recommendation Moltke was appointed, was at the center of Prussian politics for a decade and a half before becoming a successful army commander in 1866 and 1870-1871. Perhaps the most talented of Moltke's subordinates was August von Goeben, a successful commander in all three wars of German unification. August von Werder never enjoyed Moltke's confidence to the same extent, but was extremely reliable. On the other hand, both Eduard Vogel von Falckenstein and Karl von Steinmetz caused Moltke considerable difficulty by their stubborn disobedience of his explicit orders.
Behind these relationships, there existed the vital rapport which Moltke had with their Chiefs of Staff and his own general staff officers. It was on his ability to rely on these men to execute his intentions that his success ultimately depended. Theophil von Podbielski, Julius Verdy du Vernois, and Paul Bronsart von Schellendorf were some of the brilliant individuals who constituted one of the most powerful teams in military history.
Review from hardback edition:
… This work is an excellent analysis of the personality and impact that Moltke's initiatives brought to the German General staff. Beyond that, it discusses at length the methodologies needed to build and lead the command environment created by this decentralized style. Moltke's confidence in his subordinates and his innate ability to understand when to not intervene are traits modern commanders should be striving to emulate. This book is both an insightful and worthwhile read – interesting while avoiding the pitfalls of an excessive academic style.
– Canadian Army Journal
Paperback
234mm x 156mm
304 pages
20 black-and-white illustrations
7 maps
