This is a really good piece. It makes me want to read the whole book. It would be interesting to contrast this notion of personal responsibility of the officer, giving the order with contemporary American practices. Reminds me of something I read recently about the cardinal virtue of prudence, the author was emphasizing that it is mistake to think that prudence means delay or foot, dragging. To the contrary, prudence means making all necessary assessments before acting, in light of the circumstances in the exigencies faced by the decision maker, but then prompt and forceful action once the decision has been made. So the author is drawing on a very old tradition when he describes the decision making process here. His comment that truisms are perennial plants that keep coming up may reflect an awareness of that longstanding body of thought. His comment that the ability to hold your tongue and not speak, unless necessary, is a rare talent is humorous, but also accurate, and important. Loquacity is a minor vice, but it can have an outsized damaging impact if indulged at the wrong time.
The translation by Gilbert Waterhouse, which rolled off the press in 1930, should pass into the public domain when next we ring in a new year. (Hathi has it.)
(Balck in Romania) “I received a blinker-light signal, “Is Lieutenant Balck there? What is the enemy doing?” I replied, “Lieutenant Balck is here! Enemy is doing fine.”…
(later being thanked). ‘Everything was in flux. The division did not have contact with any of its elements and then came your blinker signal, ‘. . . enemy is doing fine.’ Now, if elements that far forward still have that much of a sense of humor left, then everything is in order.” General Ludwig von Tutschek, the Alpenkorps divisional commander, also got a good laugh”
This is a really good piece. It makes me want to read the whole book. It would be interesting to contrast this notion of personal responsibility of the officer, giving the order with contemporary American practices. Reminds me of something I read recently about the cardinal virtue of prudence, the author was emphasizing that it is mistake to think that prudence means delay or foot, dragging. To the contrary, prudence means making all necessary assessments before acting, in light of the circumstances in the exigencies faced by the decision maker, but then prompt and forceful action once the decision has been made. So the author is drawing on a very old tradition when he describes the decision making process here. His comment that truisms are perennial plants that keep coming up may reflect an awareness of that longstanding body of thought. His comment that the ability to hold your tongue and not speak, unless necessary, is a rare talent is humorous, but also accurate, and important. Loquacity is a minor vice, but it can have an outsized damaging impact if indulged at the wrong time.
The translation by Gilbert Waterhouse, which rolled off the press in 1930, should pass into the public domain when next we ring in a new year. (Hathi has it.)
No copies even on Bookfinder. Once it is out of copyright it will be possible to get a reprint.
I may have photocopies of other chapters. I am currently on the road, but will check once I return home.
I am guessing that once it is out of copyright, Forgotten Books will make it available. They do a good job of printing out of copyright books.
You may want to make posts out of some other chapters.
Seeckt had quite a career.
(Balck in Romania) “I received a blinker-light signal, “Is Lieutenant Balck there? What is the enemy doing?” I replied, “Lieutenant Balck is here! Enemy is doing fine.”…
(later being thanked). ‘Everything was in flux. The division did not have contact with any of its elements and then came your blinker signal, ‘. . . enemy is doing fine.’ Now, if elements that far forward still have that much of a sense of humor left, then everything is in order.” General Ludwig von Tutschek, the Alpenkorps divisional commander, also got a good laugh”
Perhaps I place too much emphasis on humor, but I’m stuck with myself. I think it essential.