EOA 6: Moltke and the Franco-Prussian War
General Moltke’s Elements of
Operational Design
End state: Prussian supremacy in
Germany
Condition: Coordination with Bismarck
was good. Political and military leaders
together on the camp.
COG: The French Army
OP Approach: Direct, offensive
movement into France and her
territories/allies.
Decisive Points: mobilization planning,
quick maneuver through restricted
terrain, mutual support of 3 armies
against the French force.
LOO/LOE: The early engagements that
each Prussian army had, allowed for the
later concentration of the entire force.
OP Reach: Railways and telegraph got
each army the frontier faster than in past.
Tempo: Prussians moved before the
French could react. (allowed Ps to have
initiative.
Simultaneity/Depth: realized as 2nd army
struck French right flank.
Phasing/Transitions: Mobilization,
penetration of frontier, large scale battle,
rapid pursuit.
Culmination Design of the campaign and
modern technology allowed Prussians to
stay on the offensive.
Risk: Some challenges using available
tech, a rider coordinated the movement
EOA 6: Battle of Koniggratz, Moltke and the Franco-Prussian War
General Benadek’s Elements of Operational Design
End state: Initially wanted to invade Prussia, ended up loosing
initiative because of Prussian action. Knew he had to defeat
Prussian army. Restore the earlier status quo-Austrian led
confederation-as well as adding Silesia to Austria as an industrial
center for the Austrians.
Condition: Prussian forces in Austria defeated and returned to
Prussia: Restore the earlier status quo-Austrian led confederation.
COG: Prussian Army(Operational) and Berlin (strategic)
OP Approach: Direct: Initially offensive(into Prussia), then to use
interior lines to defeat the separate Prussian armies
Decisive Points: Destroy one army at a time as they came through
the Alps. Should have been at least one of the passage points of the
Prussian army, ended up being his right flank…inability to control IV
and II corps cost the battle and eventually the campaign
LOO/LOE: LOOs based on rails and rivers from Vienna. Battles at the
defiles failed to be converted into any successful follow on action.
OP Reach: little compared to Prussians. Dependent on use of
Prussian rail if they are able to get through Alps.
Tempo: Failed to move as fast as the Prussian, or to successfully
disrupt their operations IOT seize the initiative at any point.
Austrians tempo was deliberate and slow (not missing and
opportunity) so that they could mass near border (while Prussians
would exhaust themselves as they extended their LOOs from Berlin)
and then schwack the Prussians coming out of the passes and then
launch their attack
Simultaneity/Depth: very poor, since the campaign took place in
Austria there is no reason his forces could not have prevented at
least one of the three wings from being involved at the main battle
Phasing/Transitions: Poor shaping efforts prior to the battle. PH1:
Mobilize & Mass, PH2: Initiation, PH3: Passage-never gets to this...
Culmination: Proper describing and directing of his battle plan
would have prevented the culmination from defense to retreat.
Risk: Excellent use of his cav to cover his withdraw…did not visualize
that one defeat (was not even that bad…) would cost the war. Only
one rail line leading to Berlin.
Timeline
1860 Moltke first starts planning for a war with Austria
15 June 1866 Prussians declare war on Hannover and Saxony
22 June first troops cross the Bohemian Border
27 June Nachod & Trautenau
28 June Skalitz & Soor
29 June Gitschin 3 July Koniggratz
U: Change in understanding with Silesia
V: 28 June-Attack Prussians @ the defiles
D: Benedek never describes operational plan to subordinates-even
at the war council the night before LD
D: Inability to Direct in a timely manner; Benedek never in position
to C2 during Battle and never developed Situational Awareness.
EOA 6: Battle of Koniggratz, Moltke and the Franco-Prussian War
Timeline
1860 Moltke first starts planning for a war with Austria
15 June 1866 Prussians declare war on Hannover and Saxony
22 June first troops cross the Bohemian Border
27 June Nachod & Trautenau
28 June Skalitz & Soor
29 June Gitschin 3 July Koniggratz
General Moltke’s Elements of Operational
Design
End state: Prussian supremacy in
Germany
Condition: Coordination with Bismarck
was good . Political and military leaders
together on the camp.
COG: The Austrian Army
OP Approach: Direct, offensive
movement into Austria.
Decisive Points: mobilization planning,
quick maneuver through restricted
terrain, mutual support of 3 armies
against the Austrian force.
LOO/LOE: The early engagements that
each Prussian army had, allowed for the
later concentration of the entire force.
OP Reach: Railways and telegraph got
each army the frontier faster than in past.
Tempo: Prussians moved before the
Austrians could react. (allowed Ps to have
initiative.
Simultaneity/Depth: realized as 2nd army
struck Austrian right flank.
Phasing/Transitions: Mobilization,
penetration of frontier, large scale battle,
rapid pursuit.
Culmination Design of the campaign and
modern tech allowed P to stay on the
offensive.
Risk: Some challenges using available
tech, a rider coordinated the mvt of 2nd
army at the vital point.