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Dissertation Information for Michael Bennighof

NAME:
- Michael Bennighof

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- History

SCHOOL:
- Emory University (USA) (2000)

ADVISORS:
- Douglas A. Unfug

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Inspected

Title: Echoes of Radetzky: Institutional memory and the Austrian campaign in Italy, 1866

Abstract: In wars fought in 1859 and 1866, the Austrian army suffered a series of disastrous military defeats brought on by inept leadership and poor organization. Austrian military culture created an atmosphere in which worship of past glories made innovation almost impossible in all areas, including strategy and tactics. Powerful historical memories allowed the Austrian army to strike firmly and decisively when faced with a recognizable situation with clear historical precedent, but given a new problem to solve its generals floundered helplessly.

The 1866 Italian campaigns show this method in practice, especially at the victorious battle of Custoza. More historical influence is seen in the land campaign in the Veneto before and after Custoza and the defense of South Tirol. At the outbreak of the 1866 war against Prussia and Italy, most observers rated Austria stronger than her antagonists\\\' combined forces. Many studies have pointed to Prussian breechloading rifles and misguided Austrian shock tactics as reasons for the Austrian defeat, and others have shown Austria\\\'s financial weakness. But despite the same handicaps, Archduke Albrecht, a dilettante cousin of the emperor, managed to defeat a larger enemy army at Custoza while more experienced soldiers found only failure. This dissertation argues that patterns of thinking had far more to do with Austrian success and failure in 1866 than rifles or tactics.

MPACT Scores for Michael Bennighof

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A+C = 0
T = 0
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TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-03-16 13:31:06

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Students under Michael Bennighof

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None