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> The greatest statesman of the age, he was also recognized as the most characteristic of Germans, — the type as well as hero of the nation; a combination of Lu
by smacktoward 7y ago
> The greatest statesman of the age, he was also recognized as the most characteristic of Germans, — the type as well as hero of the nation; a combination of Luther, Goedtz von Berlichingen, and Marshal Vorwaerts
If the "Marshal Vorwaerts" bit of this seems obscure, it's a reference to a common nickname for one of the German generals who had fought against and eventually defeated Napoléon, Gebhard von Blücher (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gebhard_Leberecht_von_Bl%C3%BCcher https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gebhard_Leberecht_von_Bl%C3%BC...).
Blücher was an aggressive, the-best-defense-is-a-good-offense general, so his troops, whom he was always urging to move forwards, forwards, nicknamed him "Marshal Forwards."
- michalu 7y agoMarshal Blücher was an impressive figure. At the time of Waterloo he was 72 years old, right at the beginning of the encounter he instantly launched a cavalry attack on Napoleon which he led himself in the front! Think of the average 72 year old today. He got injured and pushed back, only to later save Wellington from defeat. Wellington later called Waterloo the "the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life."