One hour later.
With his left arm suspended in front of his chest, Scharnhorst said to William III, "Your Majesty, while promoting civilian officers, we must also dismiss noble officers who lack capability.
"In the wars I've personally experienced, I've seen countless times where the incompetence of mid-level officers led to the collapse of localized battlefronts.
"The nation needs officers who are capable of command, brave and fearless, and literate—preferably also proficient in mathematics. Not those who only flaunt their lineage and whip soldiers all day..."
Scharnhorst fractured his wrist during the retreat in Glogau and was forced to recuperate in Potsdam. This incident provided him an opportunity to present his ideas on military reform to Prince Henry.
The latter had indeed fought wars alongside Frederick the Great, and immediately realized that this was exactly what the Prussian Army needed.
The only way to save Prussia.
