Charles D Daves

Battle of Koniggaratz, 1866: the Evolution of Operational Art Charles D Daves

Publisher Marketing: The campaign conducted by General Helmuth von Moltke into Bohemia against the Austrians was the most brilliant of that era. The Koniggratz campaign is a classic example of the art of war practiced at the operational level. The Chief of the General Staff, Moltke, is considered as operational genius, probably the greatest ever produced by Prussia. He developed the Prussian campaign plan for the attack into Bohemia which led to the total collapse of the Austrian Army in approximately two weeks. The campaign is a good example of the operational level of war with the ultimate strategic goal of German national unity. Also, the campaign offers an outstanding example of the offense operating on exterior lines and the use of the most advanced technology in the era in every phase of the campaign. With operational art as the focus, the importance of defining a clear operational end state and of balancing the end state with means, ways, and risk will be analyzed. This analysis includes a discussion of Moltke's application of certain theoretical aspects of operational art: these include exterior lines of operation, center of gravity, offense, decisive battle, and the interrelationship of strategic, operational, and tactical activities.