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    French Commanders 1870/71


    IrishGunner

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    I'm in the middle of Michael Howard's "The Franco-Prussian War" and he is very critical of command on both sides, but especially of the French. Essentially, his theme is that French commanders repeatedly snatched defeat from potential victory. If French commanders hadn't been so operational incompetent, indifferent, and timid they could have taken advantage of German mistakes. For the German side, their biggest advantage according to Howard seemed to be luck and Moltke's ability to improvise despite the insubordination of some commanders and the recklessness of others. Rather than being a study in strategic and operational command, Howard portrays leadership in the war - on both sides - as a tragic comedy of errors.

    I have not read other works on the Franco-Prussian War; how does this compare to anything other members have read?

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