Did the German general staff shrink before 1913?

While reading Gerhard P. Groß's book "Mythos und Wirklichkeit" I came across a figure of 162 officers working on the general staff during Schlieffen's time. Now I have found a figure of 120 officers working on the general staff in 1913 in Iris Freifrau von Hoyningen-Huene's book "Adel in der Weimarer Republik".

I sadly have no other books at hand to confirm either number. So does anyone know if the numbers are correct and if so why was the general staff reduced in seize? In Groß's book it sounded as if the officers during Schlieffen's time already had their hands full and I doubt things got easier during Moltke's time.
 

NoMommsen

Donor
Not sure but ... maybe in Schlieffens times some of the posts later staffed with civil servants were still occupied by military officers.

The attached exertps of the Adress book of Berlin of 1914 might give you an idea. Esp in the Land survey department there are quite some civilians listed.
1914 Berlin adressbuch Generalstab pag 1.png
1914 Berlin adressbuch Generalstab pag 2.png

p.s. :
It should be understood, that the personal listed here is as known when given into print.
Therefore it DOES NOT represent the staff on duty and in place in July/August 1914. Until then there were some considerable changes esp. in the higher echolons. ;)
 
Not sure but ... maybe in Schlieffens times some of the posts later staffed with civil servants were still occupied by military officers.

The attached exertps of the Adress book of Berlin of 1914 might give you an idea. Esp in the Land survey department there are quite some civilians listed.
...
p.s. :
It should be understood, that the personal listed here is as known when given into print.
Therefore it DOES NOT represent the staff on duty and in place in July/August 1914. Until then there were some considerable changes esp. in the higher echolons. ;)

Interesting. Thanks.
 
Top