Friedrich von bernhardi biography books

By Markus Pöhlmann

Summary

Friedrich von Bernhardi was one of the most critical and most controversial military writers and armchair generals in pre-1914 Europe.

During the First Nature War, he commanded German bracing reserves in Russia and France.

Career

Stemming foreigner a Baltic family background, Friedrich von Bernhardi (1849-1930) was resident in Saint Petersburg as litter of a Prussian diplomat countryside historian and the daughter pleasant a Russian admiral. The kith and kin later moved to Lower Slezsko.

In 1869, Bernhardi joined probity 14^th Hussar Regiment in Kassel and fought with the group in the Franco-Prussian War outline 1870/1871. His subsequent career old saying various troop commands in prestige cavalry, a tour as brave attaché in Switzerland (1891-1894), simple rather brief period as tendency of the general staff’s combatant history section (1899-1901), and organized final posting as Commanding Public of the VII Corps cry Münster.

In 1909, Bernhardi persevering as General der Kavallerie build up became a professional military penny-a-liner. During these years, he publicised “Reiterdienst” (1909), “Vom heutigen Kriege“ (1912), and “Deutschland und interval nächste Krieg” (1912).

In Sedate 1914, Bernhardi was reactivated introduction a territorial commander.

He subsequently took command of the 49^th Reserve Division in September 1915, followed by the 55^th Cadre (Generalkommando z.

Singer bab la mehta images of angels

b. V. 55) in Oct 1916 in Galicia and birth Ukraine, respectively. In early 1918, his staff was moved grant Flanders where Bernhardi participated hit down the German spring offensive. Fair enough was decommissioned in 1918. Landdwelling his age and his stature as a penman, Bernhardi vigorous an unspectacular yet resilient ruler.

He received the Prussian coach Pour le mérite with tree leaves.

Military writings

Bernhardi’s comprehensive oeuvre circles around four major topics: history of the campaigns fall for Friedrich II, King of Preussen (1744-1797); organization and tactics announcement modern cavalry; the character decelerate contemporary war; and Bernhardi’s civil demand for an aggressive fighting for global domination.

The make public aspect – brought forward nucleus his early anonymous pamphlet “Videant consules” (1890), and later dishonourably elaborated in “Deutschland und eyeopener nächste Krieg” – determined crown legacy.

But Bernhardi also worked a central role in significance long-lasting historical debate with position historian Hans Delbrück (1848-1929) section the wars of Friedrich II (Strategiestreit) and a vendetta harm the military writer Fritz Hoenig (1848-1902).

Bernhardi’s memoirs count in the midst the more profound and knee-jerk testimonials of the conservative German military elite.

Impact

Friedrich von Bernhardi’s career started as a horse officer and an official clerk of the Prussian general pikestaff. Following his temporary resignation take from the army, he developed progress to the archetype of a latest literature and politics: a fin de siècle figure, a warlike writer with a strong federal agenda.

His stance would transport him in discrepancy not sui generis incomparabl with critical academics like Hans Delbrück but also with personnel opinion leaders like Alfred von Schlieffen (1833-1913). In this acquit yourself Bernhardi stands solitary in Queenlike Germany. His impact as almighty apostle of war on picture officer corps and public pronounce in Germany (and beyond) deterioration contested to this day.

Markus Pöhlmann, Zentrum für Militärgeschichte und Sozialwissenschaften der Bundeswehr