Moltke Tactical Problem 1
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- Опубліковано 18 гру 2023
- This series presents in shortened video form the tactical problems Field Marshal Moltke presented at the Prussian Army Staff College. Moltke coined the phrase that "No plan survives first contact with the enemy." He believed fighting effectively was exploring a series of options and these options were explored in his Tactical Problems.
In these videos we look at these problems, and their solutions, with the lens of playing good Kriegsspiel.
This video is about the question, and solution for Problem 1
Join us to explore these tactical concepts on the International Kriegsspiel Society server: / discord
I agree with Moltke also because if you cross South or in the Middle you could be surrounded and pushed against the river, making a retreat difficult.
Crossing in the South could be also a problem if the fortress is able to shoot at you with artillery while you're moving.
Moltke was really attentive to timing, and I think you make a good point about the river being a problem if the enemy can react quickly. The momentum moves in the enemy direction, not yours, if you go to the south. Good insight, thanks for commenting!
When I paused I said to myself, I would march double time to the south to catch them by surprise in concentrated force earlier than expected because it is the shortest distance, but then before unpausing I said to myself, but I bet Molke will go North, not sure yet exactly why I felt that way. Then when you said it cuts off retreat I said ah ha! The bend of the river in the south, makes sense!
I also thought South. I was afraid that the cul-de sac formed by the river would bottle neck my corps while the Brenburg battalion arrived lol. I figured we could cut the enemy forces in two by rapidly moving south, isolate and destroy the battalion there, and then move on the remainder and the objective.
Too tactical, not operational lol. I totally failed to consider the line of retreat 😅
Considering the problem at all increases your awareness. Nicely done!
I definitely notice the more I do these that the patterns start to appear to me when the problem is presented. Its like learning a language - the words just start making sense one day. We'll keep doing them!
North crossing also has the benefit of a river bend that you can clear with artillery fire from 3 sides to force a crossing.
Serbian army, when conducting the offensive into Austro-Hungarian Syrmia in 1914. chose a bend on the river Sava near Novo Selo to force a crossing. It went smoothly and when the time to retreat came it also went on smoothly.
What is great about these problems is you can see the principles in other battles, as you have here. Well done!
Exactly.
Brilliant!!!
Thank you!
At first I considered taking the northern approach, but I became concerned that if I was in the opfor position I would maneuver there and concentrate on that crossing to block off what I felt was the more obvious crossing. So I chose to move to the south to avoid the possibility of having to force a breakthrough over a river in the face of superior numbers. These are starting to make me think that knowledge of the opposing commanders temperaments has a great deal of importance for these problems in 19th century problems more so than later ones.
They all did know about each other, even if anecdotally. It was a small world of commanders.
Great video. First i think that the south is the best option, but Moltke just have a incredible idea in the operational level 😀 👍
It is really enjoyable to see his thinking in multiple situations!
I will disagree. The crossing to the north has no supporting road network once you cross and the crossing can be easily blocked. The southern route has better road network from rhe crossing point and only has one battalion to contend with rather than two. The route north also opens blue force to fixing attacks along its route of mrach to the river.
No problem with looking at it from a different viewpoint. Thanks for contributing!
I also chose north and had a similar reasoing to Moltke but I don't think it'd have been the best choice in modern times. With our current tech going south seems better.
Context of the times and technology matters. Good that you can see the difference.
Do you plan to complete the series? These are great.
Yes! What a treasure if we can complete it!
My advance guard will choose the south option. Because the bataillon in Bamberg will be out of communication from his main force.Because this bataillon could not defend Bamberg and prevent the crossing. Because the 2 bataillons are too far to prevent or support. Because the middle option will bring the enemies closer to my flanks. Because the north option is too close from ennemy bataillons abd seem a dead end road
Well done thinking about your Advance Guard playing a role. In all of Moltke's problems he is positioning his screening forces.
I just thought that attacking a castle would be more difficult, even with only one battalion guarding it.
It would be for sure, but the problem has as an assumption you want to reduce that fortification. From the time period fortifying cities to slow an enemy advance was a part of the campaign approach.
You can make an argument for either the northern or southern approach depending on the local circumstances, army composition, etc, but I struggle to see the value in the middle approach. Is there something I am missing?
The middle approach is quickly invalidated by the intelligence you get that the bridge is destroyed, so you are reading it well, I think. A commander not using up to date information might head for a bridge that is no longer there! Cheers
Your advance guard could also find itself stuck between the two battalions to the south and the one to the north. Even with bridging engineers, any troops who crossed there would be highly vulnerable and the defenders could deprive the attack of momentum.
My instinct once I looked at the defender's probable responses and options was to go north. The northern battalion's flank is open there and more importantly, the castle can be masked while the defending line of retreat is cut.
Are you doing these in any specific order or just jumping around?
I jump around because there are definitely different themes from different periods of time. The problems were collected over many years, and they seem to reflect what was happening at the time though that is just my impression and not anything I have measured. I try to vary the type of problem (offensive, defensive, etc) for each release to make it interesting. There are some that are a set of three or four, so when I do those they will have to be in order as the context for one is set in the previous problems.
@@UmpireLaFondiose I had never heard of moltke prior to this but the period he was a part of is one of the most interesting periods of history to me
Wouldn't going north make it easier for the enemy to concentrate there? Or is it implied that the enemy will noy attempt to concentrate against you?
I think the idea is that the enemy will concentrate in either case. By allowing them to concentrate south you leave them a clear line of retreat. By going north, you put them in a dilemma as the southern force has to come all the way north.