COMMAND AND COMBAT USE OF COMBINED ARMS German field Service Regulations September 1st 1921
A 106-page Gestetner US Army War College 1925 translation of von Seeckt’s 1921 historically important regulations that are fundamental to understanding the army that Germany went to war with in 1939. His vision of a Neuzeitliches Heer (modern army) was of special importance to him and became the core of his innovative thinking, even if the restrictions of the Versailles Treaty made sure that it remained only a vision. This army would be characterised by a small number of soldiers, who would be well trained and equipped. This would enable the army to conduct a highly mobile war, which von Seeckt saw as the key to success in future conflicts. The tactics and operational concepts of the Wehrmacht were the work of von Seeckt in the 1920s.
Description
Under von Seeckt’s guidance, the German army developed the theory and doctrine for a quick war of manoeuvre which would lead to an early decision and fast annihilation of the enemy force. This idea offered some chance for straightforward victory – once the army was expanded and modern equipment acquired. It was revolutionary in a number of ways: first it fused together doctrine and a variant of command philosophy while also absorbing many of the tactical developments of the First World War.
The extension downwards, in the command structure, of discretionary power in the execution of a mission. This principle was devolved to both squad leaders and even to individual soldiers. Writing in 1925 in his observations of the Chief of the Army Command, General Hans von Seeckt noted: “The principle thing now is to increase the responsibilities of the individual man, particularly his independence of action, and thereby to increase the efficiency of the entire army.”
Additional information
| Author/Editor | Johannes "Hans" Friedrich Leopold von Seeckt |
|---|---|
| Product Code | 30880 |
| Delivery | This item is usually dispatched Next Day |
| Format | 2023 N&M Press reprint (original pub 1925). 106pp |
| ISBN | 9781474537353 |
