Transformation of the German Reichsheer

<p>Following the end of the World War I the major combatants engaged in varying degrees of reorganization and reformation to incorporate the lessons learned from the conflict. Germany faced the pressing need to quickly reconstitute and reorganize her armed forces to meet both external and internal threats. The Reichsheer (German Army from 1919-1935) was the only major combatant to conduct a thorough and systematic study of the tactical and operational lessons of the war. The Reichswehr transformational efforts in doctrine reorganization and training laid the foundation for the expansion and early World War II successes of the Wehrmacht. The research question of this thesis was to explore exactly how the Reichsheer leaders transformed their warfighting doctrine. This thesis also looks closely at the underlying organizational philosophy and how the philosophy guided the Reichsheer leadership cadre in affecting change within the organization. Reichsheer doctrinal manuals directives and contemporary journal articles supplemented with American observer reports served as primary source material for the thesis. The thesis will clearly link the importance of a leader creating and articulating an envisioned end state in successfully effecting change within a military organization.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>