Scharnhorst,
Gerhard Johann David von , 1755-1813, Prussian general. A Hanoverian
army officer, military writer, and director of the war college,
he entered Prussian service in 1801. He fought in the disastrous
war (1806?7) against Napoleon I, headed the commission for reorganizing
the army, and controlled the war ministry from 1807. He resigned
his posts early in 1812, when Prussia was forced into an alliance
with Napoleon I against Russia. When the French defeat in Russia
enabled Prussia to break its alliance with France and join the
anti-French coalition (1813), Scharnhorst served as chief of staff
to the commander of the army, Field Marshal Blucher. Scharnhorst
transformed the Prussian army from a mercenary force into a people's
army. Since the introduction of general conscription was impossible
under Napoleonic rule, Scharnhorst invented the Krumpersystem
under which a larger number of men than that allowed to Prussia
could be trained in the use of arms; citizens were called to service
for a short training period to be then replaced by another group.
Although the system was highly acclaimed, in reality only a small
number exceeding the 42,000 man limit were trained. The abolition
of physical punishment and the admission of nonnobles into the
officers' corps further helped to popularize the army's cause.
General conscription, however, was introduced formally only in
1814 after Scharnhorst's death. His military reforms were aided
by August Neithhardt von Gneisenau
and Karl vom und zum Stein.
German Scharnhorst
class Battlecruiser DMS Scharnhorst.
German Scharnhorst
class Battlecruiser Scharnhorst.In port when first completed,
circa early 1939.Note ship's badge mounted on her bow, and snowy
conditions at right.U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
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