Generals of the Danish Army in the First and Second Schleswig Holstein Wars
The Generals Rye, Schleppegrell and du Plat
Book Review of Generals of Danish Army in the First and Second Schleswig Holstein Wars.
The author Nick B. Svendsen's first book, the first Schleswig Holstein war 1848 - 50, was issued in 2008. This is his second and newest book. It is excellent that one more important book on the Schleswig Holstein wars has been written by this knowledgably author.
The author considers this book as a natural continuation of the first book, however despite the common theme the new book covers various aspects much more.
Both books are written in English in order to reach more readers, who is interested in history of war - and especially the Schleswig Holstein wars than just the Danish readers.
The book describes the life of the three Danish generals Schleppegrell, Olaf Rye and Claude du Plat. The three generals were important officers in the Schleswig Holstein wars who all were killed in action.
Schleppegrell and Rye were killed in the first war and du Plat in the second war. The introduction to the description of the very interesting but also turbulent lives of the generals is a fairly general description of the political and military realities of the period 1764 to 1864. The first chapter gives a concentrated overview of Europe and especially the complicated political conditions Denmark was confronted with after the Napoleonic wars.
There is also interesting and very relevant descriptions of the Danish Norwegian relations, because Scleppegrell and Rye were both born and grew up in Norway. The relatively complicated different political views between friends, officers and family which existed at the time (loyalty towards Denmark, Norway, Sweden or loyal to Schleswig Holstein, Prussia) is described very politely.
Each of the generals has their own chapters with a chronological description of their lives from their birth and to their dramatic death on the battle field. The author’s detailed studies and use of original are impressive. All chapters are spiced with translated letters from the generals. The many letters between the generals and their wives, official letters are extensively used. This information gives a very interesting picture of the general’s lives, on fellow officers and private persons. It gives an insight to their innermost thoughts. It is very interesting readings.
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