The First Modern war.

"The Franco-Prussian War."
The German Conquest of France in 1870-1871.
By Geoffrey Wawro.

ISBN 0 521 58436 1

For some reason, there is a derth of information about this war, yet it has had ramifications, echoing down to today!

Why do I call this the "First" modern war? Because this war was fought with weapons that have ancesters today. Also, unlike the US Civil War, this was fought between two old enemies, who had anicient grudges to settle. It was also fought under political condition's not dissimilar to that today., in which Germany(Prussia) sought to keep Great Britian out of the conflict and France endevoured to get great Britian involved!

When started, the war was considered, 'to close to call'. For, although Prussia and it's allies had twice the number of troops that the french had, the french troops were considered the toughest and most battle hardened in europe. As well, France had the best rifle in the world, the Chassepot! They also had one of the early 'machine guns', the Mitrailleuse.

Out of France's stunning defeat, followed by the humiliating terms imposed on it, came the rage that lead inexorably to the series of the Great European war, of WW1 and WW2. And thus we have the world we have today.

Complete with maps and photos, this is a book well worth a read!

those events are interesting. in a little over 20 years, prussia went from being politically humiliated by austria, to militarily dominant in europe.

napoleon III provoked the war himself after he had isolated himself from any outside aid, and wishfully thinking that the catholic german states would rally around him.

Gents;

I will let you draw your own conclusion about the Franco Prussian War. However here are some references that you might find interesting: "The Course of French History" Chap 16 and 17 by Pierre Goubert; "Napoleon III and his Carnival Empire" by John Bierman F-P War from Chapt 25 on (an earlier Chapter deals with SADOWA in 1866); "The Kaisers Army, The Politics of Military Technology in Germany During the Machine Age 1870-1918"; Supplying War, Logistics from Wallenstein to Patton" by Martin Van CreVeld Chapt. 3 "When demigods rode the rails". For lighter reading look at the Men-at Arms Series 233 "The French Army 1870-71 Imperial Troops" and 237 "The French Army 1870-71 Republican Troops"

Happy reading and a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to all!!

Rick

It's certainly true that Sedan set the stage for August 1914. Everybody KNEW it was coming - the question only remained "when".