On the German Art of War: Truppenfuhrung. (Book Review).

Editors Bruce Condell and David T. Zabecki, Foreword by James S. Corum, Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2001. 303 pages. ISBN 1-55587-996-9. $57.00

There are a handful of books every student of the military art should read. On the German Art of War: Truppenfuhrung is one of them. Published in 1933-1934, Heeresdienstvorschrift 300, Truppenfuhrung (unit command), as James Corum writes in his foreword to this English translation, is "one of the most important expressions of doctrine in military history." Truppenfuhrung is perhaps the first and most influential coherent expression of modem combined arms warfare in much the same way as Carl von Clausewitz's On War is recognized as a founding document of contemporary strategic thought.

The origins of Truppenfuhrung can be found in the waning days of World War I. Advances in indirect fire presented defenses with an unprecedented advantage. Attackers crossing no man's land had scant means to counter the withering rain of shell and shrapnel that saturated their path.

In contrast, artillery proved a clumsy instrument for the offense. Massing fires, coordinating infantry and artillery and conducting effective counterbattery fire were all in their infancy. Germany experimented with innovative tactical concepts to break the stalemate of trench warfare but collapsed from strategic exhaustion before it could employ its tactical initiatives with decisive effect.

During the interwar period, General Hans von Seeckt, the head of the Reichswehr (the German Army), undertook a comprehensive review of the war's lessons and initiated a series of exhaustive war games and exercises to develop new warfighting concepts. Seeckt codified the insights gained in a series of doctrinal manuals. Truppenfuhrung was a revision of this work, updated to account for emerging developments in motorized warfare, aviation and electronic communications. The visionary expanse of the doctrine was reflected in the fact it was written before the Germans created their Panzer Divisions and officially established the Luftwaffe, yet the manual's prescriptions proved readily adaptable to large-scale armored warfare and air-ground operations.

Ironically, one area in which the doctrine proved less than insightful was its treatment of artillery. During World War II, it was the Americans with their flexible artillery organization, air observers and fire direction centers (FDCs) that pioneered the great artillery innovations of modem combined arms warfare.

While Truppenfuhrung may have under-appreciated the future role of fire support, it deserves a close reading by today's artillerymen. First, it is a seminal document for understanding the origins and evolution of combined arms fighting. Combined arms warfare may well be an enduring feature of 21st century conflict as well. Information systems, advanced sensors and precision weaponry could make fusing different arms an even more powerful and decisive capability. Creative thinking about combined arms warfare could well be an important task for future artillerymen.

Truppenfuhrung is a good place to start such an intellectual odyssey. Truppenfuhrung also offers a valuable case study in the dynamics of "transformation," the effort to develop unprecedented new military capabilities. It is an outstanding example of the kind of mental engine that is needed to drive profound change and innovative thinking.

The editors have provided a valuable addition to the list of vital military readings. They also include a brief, useful selected bibliography as a guide for further study. Particularly recommended are the works of Shimon Nivah, Richard Simpkin, Williamson Murray and Zabecki.