With Royal Headquarters (ePub)

Includes the Franco-Prussian Map Pack with over 35 maps, plans and diagrams of the engagements of the warJulius von Verdy du Vernois was a noted Prussian General and strategist, he served with great distinction in the Austro-Prussian war of 1866 and participated in the climactic battle of Königgratz. He was appointed to the General Staff in 1867 as head of the intelligence section becoming a close assistant and confidant of the great Graf von Moltke. His chief fame rests on his service with the German Royal headquarters as one of high-ranking "demi-gods" of the General staff who enabled von Moltke to keep control of the massive German army as they destroyed the French armies so rapidly and successfully."THESE "Personal Recollections of the War of 1870-71," now first issued in book form, have already been partially published in articles which appeared in the "Deutsche Rundschau" in 1874 and 1895. Going again through my letters and the notes in my diary of that period, I have here and there added additional matter."But still they are nowise intended to form an exhaustive description of the war, or even a complete record of personal experiences. Their publication is due to the renewed interest in those great events which the twenty-five years' jubilee has awakened, and their object is a limited one, viz. to give an insight into the daily life of the Royal Headquarters Staff during those times. The opinions held and mental impressions formed at particular moments with regard to the great events of the war are recorded for the most part in the form in which they were noted down at the time, without regard to whether, in the light of better information, they subsequently proved correct or wide of the mark. For thus only can the "Recollections" give a faithful picture of the views obtaining at particular junctures."- von Verdy