Command and Combat Use of Combined Arms: German Field Service Regulations September 1st 1921

Under von Seeckt's guidance, the German army developed the theory and doctrine for a quick war of manoeuvre which would lead to an early decision and fast annihilation of the enemy force. This idea offered some chance for straightforward victory - once the army was expanded and modern equipment acquired. It was revolutionary in a number of ways: first it fused together doctrine and a variant of command philosophy while also absorbing many of the tactical developments of the First World War. The extension downwards, in the command structure, of discretionary power in the execution of a mission. This principle was devolved to both squad leaders and even to individual soldiers. Writing in 1925 in his observations of the Chief of the Army Command, General Hans von Seeckt noted: "The principle thing now is to increase the responsibilities of the individual man, particularly his independence of action, and thereby to increase the efficiency of the entire army."