My Thoughts and Actions
It would take too long to mention by name the other Groups and Armies. But I cannot omit a reference to General von Loszberg. This eminent officer and tactician often rendered the greatest assistance to the Army and his country. JHis confidence in me afforded me special satisfaction.
During my visits to the Front the various Chiefs of Staff explained the situation to me, in the presence of their Army Commanders. They always spoke as freely as if they had been officers at General Headquarters. They knew I wanted to hear their real views and have a clear idea of the true situation, not a favourable report made to order. Sometimes the Armies were instructed to report bare facts only, whether favourable or unfavourable.
After the general statement we would discuss matters and the Army Commanders would join in, unless they had explained the situation themselves, an alternative which I particularly appreciated. As a rule I used to extend my visit and this enabled me to discuss every kind of question with the Army Commanders.
My intercourse with the Armies was not limited to the weekly journeys. Every morning I spoke on the telephone with the Chiefs of Staff of the Armies and was admitted to their apprehensions and their hopes. They frequently had requests to submit, and they knew that I would help them if I could. I have often had to give them encouragement, but I always felt that they went back to their heavy task with all the more confidence. At times one got a better and fairer general impression of the strategical and tactical situation from the office chair than one could on the spot, where personal impressions had so much greater influence.
My conversations on the telephone had the object of collecting information. Only in cases of emergency did I issue orders on these occasions, and then they were always confirmed in writing to the Headquarters concerned.
It was an understood thing that these conversations were reported to the Army Commanders. I strongly objected to a " Chief of Staff's Command/' besides, the Army Commanders
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