"Prussian Napoleonic Tactics: 1792-1815".


Peter Hofschröer


. The Legacy of Frederick the Great: The experience of the Seven Years War, the drill regulations, the economic and political situation in Prussia ·



. Garrison Life at the End of the 18th Century: Frederick William II's mismanagement of the economy and the effects of spending cuts on the army's preparations for war. The role of the army in society. Training and the autumn manoeuvres ·



. The Early Reforms: The evolution of a light arm and increase in the numbers of light troops. Officer training and the transformation of the general staff from an instrument of royal military policy to the brain of the army ·



. The Experience of the Revolutionary Wars: From the Cannonade of Valmy to the Peace of Basle. Drill regulations and tactics in the war in the Palatinate ·



. The Ten Year Peace: An army at peace, but not asleep. The annexations in Poland and the subsequent expansion and reorganisation of the army ·



. Jena and Auerstedt : The myth and the reality. How the Prussian army actually fought. The tactical situations ·



. The Later Reforms: The first combined arms regulations in Prussian history ·



. Mass-Mobilisation: From conscript army to levée-en-masse. Command and control of an inadequately trained army. The "new" tactics - a stroke of genius or a reaction to necessity? ·



. The Wars of Liberation: Learning on the job. How the "new" army fought. The evolution of tactical systems from the experience of battle ·



. Waterloo & Beyond: How the army of raw levies defeated Napoleon. The tactical systems adapted on Prussia's expansion westwards ·



. Conclusion: How the lessons of the Napoleonic Wars influenced the development of tactical systems in early 19th century Prussia.