Sigismund von Schlichting
Encyclopedia
Sigismund Wilhelm Lorenz von Schlichting (October 3, 1829-October 22, 1909) was a Prussia
n general
and military theorist, perhaps best known for his participation in the debates over infantry tactics in the 1880s and 1890s.
Schlichting was born in Berlin
, the son of a Prussian general who was then the commander of the Kriegsakademie
(War Academy). In many respects his early career was typical: he matriculated in the cadet corps and received his commission as a lieutenant at the age of 18. Instead of attending the War Academy, however, he was educated at the universities of Bonn
and Göttingen. In 1861 he was promoted to captain and given command of a company. He saw action against Austria
in the Seven Weeks War
of 1866, and at the end of that year was promoted to major and seconded to the General Staff
. Schlichting returned to the line in 1870 and commanded an infantry battalion in the Franco-Prussian War
.
In 1872 Schlichting was appointed chief of staff of the VII Army Corps, based in Münster
, a post which he held for two years. From 1874 to 1878 he commanded an infantry regiment at Spandau
, after which he was made chief of staff of the Guard Corps, a highly prestigious position. From 1884 until 1896 Schlichting held a series of field commands, finishing as commander of the XIV Army Corps (1888-1896). Sigismund von Schlichting retired from active service in 1896 and died in 1909.
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
and military theorist, perhaps best known for his participation in the debates over infantry tactics in the 1880s and 1890s.
Schlichting was born in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, the son of a Prussian general who was then the commander of the Kriegsakademie
Kriegsakademie
Kriegsakademie may refer to:* War Academy of the Royal Bavarian Army, located in Munich * Prussian Military Academy of the Royal Prussian Army, located in Berlin- See also :* military academy...
(War Academy). In many respects his early career was typical: he matriculated in the cadet corps and received his commission as a lieutenant at the age of 18. Instead of attending the War Academy, however, he was educated at the universities of Bonn
University of Bonn
The University of Bonn is a public research university located in Bonn, Germany. Founded in its present form in 1818, as the linear successor of earlier academic institutions, the University of Bonn is today one of the leading universities in Germany. The University of Bonn offers a large number...
and Göttingen. In 1861 he was promoted to captain and given command of a company. He saw action against Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
in the Seven Weeks War
Austro-Prussian War
The Austro-Prussian War was a war fought in 1866 between the German Confederation under the leadership of the Austrian Empire and its German allies on one side and the Kingdom of Prussia with its German allies and Italy on the...
of 1866, and at the end of that year was promoted to major and seconded to the General Staff
German General Staff
The German General Staff was an institution whose rise and development gave the German armed forces a decided advantage over its adversaries. The Staff amounted to its best "weapon" for nearly a century and a half....
. Schlichting returned to the line in 1870 and commanded an infantry battalion in the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
.
In 1872 Schlichting was appointed chief of staff of the VII Army Corps, based in Münster
Münster
Münster is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland...
, a post which he held for two years. From 1874 to 1878 he commanded an infantry regiment at Spandau
Spandau
Spandau is the fifth of the twelve boroughs of Berlin. It is the fourth largest and westernmost borough, situated at the confluence of the Havel and Spree rivers and along the western bank of the Havel, but the least populated.-Overview:...
, after which he was made chief of staff of the Guard Corps, a highly prestigious position. From 1884 until 1896 Schlichting held a series of field commands, finishing as commander of the XIV Army Corps (1888-1896). Sigismund von Schlichting retired from active service in 1896 and died in 1909.
Partial list of works
- Taktische und strategische Grundsätze der Gegenwart. (18981898 in literatureThe year 1898 in literature involved some significant new books.-New books:*Elizabeth von Arnim - Elizabeth and Her German Garden*F. W. Bain - A Digit of the Moon*L...
) (Tactical and Strategic Principles of the Present) - Moltkes Vermächtniss. (19011901 in literatureThe year 1901 in literature involved some significant new books.-Events:* First Nobel Prize for Literature awarded, to French poet Sully Prudhomme; many are outraged when Leo Tolstoy does not win...
) (Moltke's Legacy)
See also
- Friedrich von BernhardiFriedrich von BernhardiFriedrich Adolf Julius von Bernhardi was a Prussian general and military historian. He was one of the best-selling authors prior to World War I. A militarist, he is perhaps best known for his bellicose book Deutschland und der Nächste Krieg , printed in 1911...
- Colmar Freiherr von der GoltzColmar Freiherr von der GoltzWilhelm Leopold Colmar Freiherr von der Goltz also known as Goltz Pasha, was a Prussian Field Marshal and military writer.-Military career:...
- Julius von Verdy du VernoisJulius von Verdy du VernoisJulius von Verdy du Vernois was a German general and staff officer, chiefly noted both for his military writings and his service on Graf Moltke's staff during the Franco-Prussian War.- Biography :...