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Full Description
Author Dr. Dennis Showalter is the winner of the 2018 Pritzker Military Lifetime Achievement Award!
If wars were wagered on like pro sports or horse races, the Germany military in August 1914 would have been a clear front-runner, with a century-long record of impressive victories and a general staff the envy of its rivals. Germany's overall failure in the first year of World War I was surprising and remains a frequent subject of analysis, mostly focused on deficiencies in strategy and policy.
But there were institutional weaknesses as well. This book examines the structural failures that frustrated the Germans in the war's crucial initial campaign, the invasion of Belgium. Too much routine in planning, command and execution led to groupthink, inflexibility and to an overconfident belief that nothing could go too terribly wrong. As a result, decisive operation became dicey, with consequences that Germany's military could not overcome in four long years.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
1. Concept
2. Structural Issues
Cavalry Heritage
Jaeger
Reconnaissance
Heereskavallerie vs. Divisionskavallerie
Integration of Aviation
Communications Failures
3. Operational Issues
Enemy Situation
Ultimate German Objective
Single Point of Failure: Staff Plans
"Technical Problems"
Number of Cavalry Divisions
4. Preparation for War
July 29
July 30
July 31
August 1
August 2
August 3
5. Handstreich
August 4
August 5
August 6
August 7
6. Reducing Liège
August 8
August 9
August 10
August 11
7. Prior to the Final Advance
August 12
August 13
August 14
August 15
8. Advance
August 16
August 17
August 18
August 19
9. Bad Deployment Strikes Back
August 20
August 21
August 22
August 23
Conclusion
Appendix: Peacetime Organization of the GGS as of May 1, 1914
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
