The importance of utilising technology to its fullest potential also came to prominence during the Franco-Prussian War, which highlighted its great logistical value. This manifested itself in numerous different ways. The importance of utilising technology to its fullest extent also came to prominence with developments such as the railway system, as well as breech loading rifles. Prussia gained significant advantages through its efficient use of the railways in the mobilisation of troops as the general staff had a railway section that was in charge of troop movements. 184 The French had no such equivalent and as such, while the Germans could move fifty trains a day to the French border, the French could only manage twelve. 185 The superior French Chassepot rifle’s advantages were negated by poor French tactics. 186 Whilst the importance of technology played a large role in the Franco Prussian War, some ignored the lessons that were learnt. In 1887 the Prussian War Minister decided not to buy new artillery and instead suggested the resources should be spent on improving morale and leadership saying: ‘one can have too much artillery’. 187 New technology was also developed in response to the war, notably the rapid firing French 75mm in 1898, as well as the Maxim gun in 1885 in response to the potential of the French Mitrailleuse. 188 The infantry and cavalry both struggled at the outbreak of the war. The marksmanship and accuracy of the Boers and their Mauser rifles taught the British the value of marksmanship as it had not been so much of a factor during smaller colonial wars, often against those who possessed no or very few rifles. In order to attempt to remedy the poor
184 Geoffrey Wawro. P.48 185 Ibid. P.74 186 Ibid. P.105 187 Ibid. P.306 188 Brian Bond. P.42
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