Clausewitz and the Personality Characteristics of the Battlefield Commander in British and German Military Doctrine, 1918–1941.

This article examines how the British and German armies between the World Wars incorporated Carl von Clausewitz's emphasis on personality in military doctrine, focusing on the psychological qualities required of commanders and troops to overcome the "friction" of war. German doctrine, shaped by figures such as Hans von Seeckt and Ludwig Beck, closely aligned with Clausewitz's model, emphasizing commanders' rapid situational insight (coup d'œil), reflective boldness, and moral courage, while British doctrine, influenced by J.F.C. Fuller and later Archibald Wavell, stressed boldness and determination but placed less emphasis on reflection and tempering rashness. Following the early "Blitzkrieg" campaigns, German assessments reinforced their interwar focus on decisive, bold leadership, whereas British doctrine shifted toward greater caution and deliberation, prioritizing steady determination over rapid, intuitive decision-making. The article highlights differing national interpretations of Clausewitz's ideas on personality and their practical impact on military leadership doctrine prior to and during the early Second World War.