Alfred von Waldersee: Quotes about war

Alfred von Waldersee was Prussian Field Marshal. Explore interesting quotes on war.
Alfred von Waldersee: 74 quotes0 likes

“To say I desire war is absurd. I only wish one thing: that our enemies renounce completely the idea of attacking us. I know too well what war is and am convinced that it is my duty as an honest man to wish that it be used only as a last resort, as much in the interests of my Fatherland as in the interests of the entire world.”

Alfred von Waldersee

Waldersee, quoted in the Le Petit Parisien newspaper, c. 1888

“The amount of damage done to the country down to date by ravage and plunder will never be calculable, but it must be immense. It is only to be regretted that those who are most responsible for the war will be the ones least affected by it. Unfortunately, the looting has not failed to be attended by other excesses: outrages on women, barbarities of all descriptions, murder, wanton acts of incendiarism, etc.”

Alfred von Waldersee

Waldersee in one of his dispatches to the Kaiser from China, c. 1900

“I say we have the duty to take advantage of every favorable opportunity that presents itself and bring about a war with France. Militarily speaking, we are definitely at anadvantage thanks to the new repeating rifle, and in other ways too. But if we do not make use of such opportunities, then politics has to provide us with better ones, although I see no prospect of this.”

Alfred von Waldersee

Waldersee in his diary, 1 November 1886

“People are telling me that I am regarded by the Chancellor (and indeed in wider circles) as the leader of the so-called War Party, and by no means favorably, as the Chancellor is most anxious to avoid war. I shall soon begin myself to believe that I am a thoroughly bad man! What will be brought up against me next?”

Alfred von Waldersee

Waldersee in his diary, 15 May 1887

“Prince William is very keen on the idea of war and regrets that things seem now to look more pacific.”

Alfred von Waldersee

Waldersee in his diary, 15 February 1887

“I see a future for us only in a Great War in which we lastingly cripple an opponent, France or Russia. Unless there should be a great war, the only way out of our dilemma will be through internal commotion, preferably revolutions in France or Russia.”

Alfred von Waldersee

Waldersee in his diary, 15 October 1885, quoted in Scott A. Silverstone, From Hitler's Germany to Saddam's Iraq