PRUSSIAN STAFF IN 1870
It may be interesting to see how the Prussian Head-Quarters Staff was organized for the strategical conduct of the War of 1870.
At the head was Moltke, the “Chief of the General Staff” in peace and war, who really directed the operations, although nominally only the adviser of the King of Prussia, the Supreme Commander.
Moltke was assisted, and replaced when absent, by the Q.M.G., who acted as Chief of the Office.
The General Staff under Moltke consisted of twelve officers, and was organized in three Sections as follows:
1. Operations.
2. Railways and Communications.
3. Intelligence.
Each Section was under a Colonel, the “Chief of the Section,” with one Field Officer and two Captains as his assistants.
The Commissary-General of Supplies, and the Director of Military Telegraphs were also attached to the Staff.
Each Army had the following Staff, comprising six to nine General Staff Officers:
One Chief of General Staff.
One Chief Q.M.G.
One to two Field Officers.
Three to five other Officers.