Tactics and Procurement in the Habsburg Military, 1866-1918

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • John A. Dredger

   Pages 1-12

3. The Problems of 1866: Tactics, Weapons, and Money

   • John A. Dredger

   Pages 13-47

4. 1866–1876: First Steps Toward Progress

   • John A. Dredger

   Pages 49-98

5. Adapting in Bosnia-Hercegovina

   • John A. Dredger

   Pages 99-131

6. From Progress to Reversion

   • John A. Dredger

   Pages 133-174

7. Financial Shock: Conradian Tactics and Wasteful Spending

   • John A. Dredger

   Pages 175-233

8. The Catastrophe of the Offensive

   • John A. Dredger

   Pages 235-280

9. Conclusion

   • John A. Dredger

   Pages 281-287

10. Back Matter

    Pages 289-303

    PDF

This book reveals the primary causes of Habsburg defeat both in the Austro-Prussian War and the First World War. The choice of offensive strategy and tactics against an enemy possessing superior weaponry in the Austro-Prussian War, and opponents with superior numbers and weapons in the Great War, resulted in catastrophe. The inferiority of the Habsburg forces in both conflicts stemmed from imprudent spending decisions during peacetime, rather than conservatism or parliamentary stinginess. The desire to restore the sunken prestige of Austria-Hungary and prove Habsburg’s great power status drove the military to waste money on an expensive fleet, and choose offensive tactics to win great victories. This study shows the civil-military interaction in regard to funding and procurement decisions as well as the deep intellectual debates within the army, which refute the idea that the Habsburg military remained opposed to technology or progress

• history of conflict
• Austria-Hungary
• First World War
• Austro-Prussian War
• Reichsrat

“Big, populous and industrialized, modern Austria-Hungary was a military cellar dweller, defeated by Prussia and Italy in 1866 and by Russia and Serbia in World War I, despite massive German support. In this careful study, John A. Dredger searches for the reasons for this military futility and finds them in a culture that prized courtiers over professionals, deference over innovation, flash over substance and cheap fixes over sensible reforms.” (Geoffrey Wawro, University of North Texas, USA)

• Assumption Academy, Walton, USA

  John A. Dredger

John A. Dredger is Vice-Principal at Assumption Academy in Walton, USA. Having studied at Kansas State University, he has taught History for twenty-five years.

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