The performance of the Prussian army during the campaign of 1793 certainly undermines many historians’ assumptions of a decline. In 1793, the Prussian army appeared to be just as effective as it had been under Frederick II. In addition, its performance questions the relative importance historians have attached to the military reforms of the French Revolution. While the evidence from these two battles is hardly adequate to be conclusive, it certainly suggests that historians may have overstated the importance of French tactical innovations, in particular the assault column. While the Prussian army of the War of the First Coalition may not have delivered victories to equal the spectacular battles of Frederick the Great, it proved itself to be a highly effective weapon of war. Furthermore, while its commanders might have lacked the will to employ the army to its fullest potential, the Prussian army was far from an ossified relic. However, Napoleon a led different army to Jena than any French force that the Prussian
Alas the link isn't working, I would be quite interested to read this, there I have some statements of Prussian officers who see their army as good as that one of Frederick the Great's.
I posted the list of papers from the Consortium, which included this one. Hopefully they still work. 😉
Thanks now the download worked
It is gratifying to read
The performance of the Prussian army during the campaign of 1793 certainly undermines many historians’ assumptions of a decline. In 1793, the Prussian army appeared to be just as effective as it had been under Frederick II. In addition, its performance questions the relative importance historians have attached to the military reforms of the French Revolution. While the evidence from these two battles is hardly adequate to be conclusive, it certainly suggests that historians may have overstated the importance of French tactical innovations, in particular the assault column. While the Prussian army of the War of the First Coalition may not have delivered victories to equal the spectacular battles of Frederick the Great, it proved itself to be a highly effective weapon of war. Furthermore, while its commanders might have lacked the will to employ the army to its fullest potential, the Prussian army was far from an ossified relic. However, Napoleon a led different army to Jena than any French force that the PrussianAlas the link isn't working, I would be quite interested to read this, there I have some statements of Prussian officers who see their army as good as that one of Frederick the Great's.