Ministry of War (Prussia) facts for kids

The Prussian War Ministry was like the main office in charge of the army in Prussia. It was set up between 1808 and 1809. This happened after some big changes were needed for the Prussian Army. These changes came after a tough time for Prussia, especially after the Treaties of Tilsit. The Ministry helped to make the army more organized and work better. It also helped to make sure the army followed the country's laws. A very important person named Gerhard von Scharnhorst was a key leader in setting up these changes. He was like the acting war minister for a few years.

How the War Ministry Started

The War Ministry officially began on December 25, 1808. It took over from older military groups. The Ministry had two main parts, like two big teams. The first team was in charge of leading the army and making sure it was ready. The second team handled all the money and supplies for the army.

At first, there wasn't a single "War Minister" because King Frederick William III wasn't sure about it. So, Gerhard von Scharnhorst became the head of the first main part, which was called the General War Department. Lieutenant Colonel Graf Lottum led the second part, which handled money. Scharnhorst also acted as the War Minister until someone was officially appointed.

Inside the Departments

The first main part, the General War Department, had three smaller sections.

• The first section was like a secret military office. It helped the king with important army decisions.
• The second section dealt with general army matters. This included things like forming new groups of soldiers, finding replacements, housing soldiers, and planning army exercises. It also helped get the army ready for battle.
• The third section was for artillery and engineering. Artillery means big guns and cannons. This section made sure there were enough cannons, rifles, and gunpowder. The engineering part was in charge of building and keeping up fortresses, which are strong defensive buildings.

The second main part, which handled the army's money and supplies, had four sections:

• One section was for paying the soldiers.
• Another was for making sure the army had enough food.
• A third section handled clothing for the soldiers.
• The last section looked after soldiers who were injured or unable to fight.

In 1919, after World War I, this ministry became the basis for the new Weimar Germany's army ministry, called the Ministry of the Reichswehr.

Where the Ministry Was Located

The main Ministry building on Leipziger Straße in Berlin.

For exactly 100 years, from 1819 to 1919, the main War Ministry building was in a part of Berlin called Friedrichstadt. It was located at Leipziger Straße 5. This building faced south and had a garden next to the Prinz-Albrecht-Palais. That palace was later taken down to build another government building.

The Ministry also used other offices over the years:

• From 1824, they used an office at Wilhelmstrasse 81.
• From 1871, they used the old General Staff building at Behrenstraße 66.

General Staff and Military Cabinet Locations

The German General Staff, which was a very important group of military planners, also had its own locations:

• After about 1820, they were at Behrenstraße 66.
• From 1867 to 1871, they moved to a new building in a park area called Tiergarten. This was near a place now called Platz der Republik.

The Military Cabinet, another important group, also moved around:

• After about 1820, it was located behind the Zeughaus, which is an old armory building.
• Around 1900, it moved to Behrenstraße 66.

Prussian Ministers of War, 1808–1919