European History in Perspective

The Prussian army invented modern war processes, and Helmuth von Moltke (1800 - 1891) was the first modern war planner. His accomplishment was to develop, bring to fruition and validate the war processes invented during his lifetime. In this book, Bucholz examines Moltke''s work and the processes he utilised in each of the three wars of German unification: against Denmark (1864), Austria (1865) and France (1870-71).

Moltke''s achievements have become a legacy for modern military strategists. The procedures he developed have been used in all of the wars of the twentieth century - the Persian Gulf War of 1991 may be its most interesting example - beacuse they respond to the size, space, time and technology mandates of industrial mass warfare. This book describes and analyzes these developments in a unique way, by using organisational, knowledge and learning theory, by looking closely at Moltke''s life as a professional soldier and by bringing little-known research in the field to a wider audience.