12 Facts About Jakob Meckel

Klemens Wilhelm Jacob Meckel was a general in the Prussian army and foreign advisor to the government of Meiji period Japan.

Jakob Meckel was born in Cologne, Rhine Province, Prussia and joined the Prussian Army in 1860 as part of the 68th Infantry Regiment.

Jakob Meckel served in the Austro-Prussian War, fighting at Koniggratz, and was a veteran of the Franco-Prussian War.

Jakob Meckel worked closely with future Prime Ministers General Katsura Taro and General Yamagata Aritomo, and with army strategist General Kawakami Soroku.

Jakob Meckel made numerous recommendations which were implemented, including reorganization of the command structure of the army into divisions and regiments, thus increasing mobility, strengthening the army logistics and transportation structure, with the major army bases connected by railways, establishing artillery and engineering regiments as independent commands, and revising the universal conscription system to abolish virtually all exceptions.

Jakob Meckel is credited with having introduced Clausewitz's military theories and the Prussian concept of war games in a process of refining tactics.

On his return to Germany, Jakob Meckel first served in the 57th Infantry Regiment before becoming commander of the 88th Infantry Regiment in the Fortress of Mainz.

Jakob Meckel subsequently was promoted to major general in 1894, by this time being heading the military history department of the German General Staff.

Jakob Meckel edited the 2nd and 3rd editions of Paul Bronsart von Schellendorff's Duties of the General Staff.

Jakob Meckel became a senior department head in 1895.

Jakob Meckel eventually was reassigned to command the 8th Infantry Brigade, but retired from active service shortly thereafter.

Jakob Meckel settled in Lichterfelde, near Berlin, and died there on July 5,1906.