The Franco-German War of 1870-71

by Helmuth Karl Bernhard von Moltke

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

Genres: History, Military History, Military Fiction, German Literature

447 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1891

About the author

Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf von Moltke was a German Field Marshal who acted as chief of staff of the Prussian Army for thirty years. He is also referred to as Moltke the Elder.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmuth...

Reviews

[Frank Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across a translation of this classic military memoir some time ago and finally picked it up (to help me understand France in the time of the Dreyfus Affair the years before that led to this crisis). Motke comes from a long line of military giants and, of course, he was one of the largest of those giants. Overseeing the invasion of France and the systematic crushing of virtually every French military unit in the country as well as the seige and ultimate surrender of Paris, he gives a crisp blow by blow account of the war. Moltke carefully chronicles each battle, city by city - his account of the encirclement and ultimate surrender of Sedan where Emperor Napolean was forced to personally surrender (while weaping) to the King of Prussia is both moving and shocking.

Clearly, the French fought valiently and the average foot soldier and calvary trooper did not shy away from fiercly fighting. One passage was particularly gripping about a massive calvary charge that ends in the complete destruction of a French unit: ““Just then, near Morsbronn, notwithstanding the evident unfavourable nature of the ground, two Cuirassier and one Lancer regiments of Michel's brigade hurled themselves with reckless daring on a body of German infantry taken in the act of wheeling to the right. But the 32nd Regiment, far from seeking cover, received in open order the charging mass of over 1000 horse with a steady fire which did great execution. The Cuirassiers especially suffered immense loss. Only a few horsemen broke through the firing line and gained the open ground; many were taken prisoners in the village, the remainder rode in wild gallop as far as Walburg. There they encountered the Prussian 13th Hussars, suffered further loss, and disappeared from the field.”

If you want to understand France's hatred for Germany that fed into World War I as well as the determination of the French Army after this debacle of a war to do everything to protect their self pride at any cost - and here the Dreyfus Affair comes in - this is a very helpful book to read.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moltke's firsthand account gives insight into the concerns, risks, and decisions made by the Prussian military as well as their disposition toward war, a marked departure from the contemporary paradigm. However, without reference maps and chronology, understanding the progression of events proved difficult.