The Franco-German War of 1870-71

The Franco-German War of 1870-71

 

Helmuth von Moltke was promoted to Field Marshal and created Graf von Moltke by the ambitious William I of Prussia and his Chancellor Bismarck on the consolidation of the German empire in 1871, after his triumphs in the Franco-German War. A brilliant intellectual, his strategy and generalship had prevailed against the apparently mighty military power of Napoleon III of France. Napoleon had thought to bolster popular support for his rule by extending his territory to the Rhine. Instead he lost his throne and France was humiliatingly forced to cede Alsace and Lorraine.By the time this war broke out, von Moltke had already achieved outstanding and surprising successes against Austria in the Six Weeks' War in 1866, and, a perfectionist in organisation, was the creator of the General Staff system of today. Rapidity of attack by the use of railway transport was as successful in France as in his earlier victories, but in France defeat of the army was followed by a people's war before final victory was achieved, exemplified most vividly by the long and horrific siege of Paris.Against military autobiography in principle, von Moltke was nevertheless prevailed upon to write the history of this war, thus achieving for the reader the best of both worlds - a careful and accurate description of events, combined with insights into strategy which as commander only he could authoritatively give. From the preparations for war and the combat of Weissenburg on 4th August 1870, von Moltke sweeps the reader through his carefully planned campaign including every stage of the war up to the armistice and the homeward march of the victorious German army. Von Moltke is considered by many the most able mind in military matters since Napoleon, and in this unimpeachable work has left for posterity the rare legacy of a complete war recorded from the viewpoint of its commander-in-chief.

 

Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke

Hardcover with d/w 447pp Greenhill Books 1992

 

Fine/Fine

Book Code:  SH2185

Our Price:£19.95
Quantity:

Add to Basket