Military History / Generals of the Danish Army in the First and Second Schleswig Holstein Wars
 

The first half of the nineteenth century was a turbulent but momentous time for Denmark. From being a siable nation in Europe it was decimated first in the Napoleonic Wars with the loss of Norway and later in 1864 with the loss of Schleswig Holstein. Svendsen in this book describes three Danish generals who started their carrier as officers in Norway and russia. They were all killed in action during the Schleswig Holstein wars. The book describes their lives with happy times as well as sorrows and how it shaped their way to the highest positions in the Danish army. Svendsen leads us through the wars in Norway, Caucasus and Schleswig Holstein and decribes the battle fields where the generals were active.

The book is a good supplement to "The First Schleswig Holstein War 1848-50".

 
It is available from the author and from Helion.uk
Helion.uk.com   as well as AMAZON.
 
 

Generals Rye, Schleppegrell and du Plat

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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(Cont.)
Olaf Rye's diary and letters includes his military adventure as young officer in the Prussian army. There he met Field Marshall von Blücher and participated thereafter in several battles together with Schleppegrell and Helgesen. He was occupied in the 3rd Rhein Militia as temporary company commander and later transferred to 5th Westfalian Regiment. After Rye's return his live in Rendsburg as well his participation in the war is described and especially the sortie at Fredericia where he was killed. The battle at Isted and the death of General Schleppegrell is detalied described. It has also been possible for the author to find letters which inform about du Plat's whereabouts and military adventures in Russia as well as du Plat's participation in Zar Nicolai I many military operations in Caucasus. The Caucasus operations were commanded by the famous general Michail Voronzov. The author finally mentions du Plat's mental conditions after his wife's death. Did it affect his ability to command the 2nd Division on Dybbøl. The author’s opinion is it had no effect.

Generals of the Danish Army in the First and Second Schleswig Holstein Wars, 1848 - 50 and 1864 - Schleppegrell, Rye and du Plat is seen as another important contribution to the already long list of publications on the Scleswig Holstein wars. The book contains many Orders of Battles and extracts from the generals letters, diaries and biographies. Finally the author has compiled a description of the Battlefields from the Schleswig Holstein wars including tourist instructions. The maps covers nicely the areas and supplements the battlefield descriptions although the reviewer as an old cold war officer has difficulties accepting that the Danish forces consequently are marked with the “red” colour.

This book is highly recommended.

Free translation of a review by Søren A. Matthiessen which appeared in “Krigshistorisk Tidsskrift” Nr. 1 March 2012.