Moltke’s Projects for the Campaign of 1866 Against Austria

Originally published in 1907, this is the translation by the British Army War Office of Field Marshal Moltke’s military papers relating to the war of 1866 (first published in their original German in 1896).

“A NEW light was thrown upon the campaign of 1864 by the publication, in 1892, of Moltke’s military correspondence during that war—a volume which revealed, as nothing published before it had done, the brilliant abilities and resolute character of the Prussian general. That delightful volume was followed, in 1896, by the publication of a selection from Moltke’s military papers relating to the war of 1866...They are divided into four parts, collected under the headings of preparation, mobilization, and deployment, the actual operations, the truce and peace. The chief interest of these disclosures lies in the first part, for it is the arrangements for the first deployment and subsequent concentration of the Prussian Army that have formed the principal subject of controversy in regard to this campaign. Moreover, since the construction of railways, the great importance which always in every campaign has attached to the opening has been, if anything, increased. The opening is usually arranged with a deliberation impossible in the subsequent stages of the action. It is the part of the game which admits of the completest study beforehand, and it is the part in which for this campaign abundant evidence is now given. Moltke’s colleagues of the Staff have told us since his death that they were much impressed by his habitual effort to think things out, and that he used in this process to assist himself by putting his thoughts on paper and rewriting his analysis or his argument again and again until he found it satisfactory.”