FIRST QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL, AUGUST 29th, 1916, TO OCTOBER 26th, 1918.
THE ENTENTE OFFENSIVE, AUTUMN, 1916. (MAPS VII, and VIII.)
I
NERAL VON LYNCKER received us on our arrival in Pless, about ten o'clock in the morning of August 2gth, He informed me that Field-Marshal von Hindenburg had been appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Field Army, and that I was to be Second Chief. The title " First Quartermaster-General" seemed to me more appropriate. In my opinion there could only be one Chief of the General Staff; but, in any case, I had been expressly assured that I should have joint responsibility in all decisions and measures that might be taken.
When His Majesty received us, he expressed the hope that the crisis at the Front would be overcome and the Imperial Chancellor, who was present in Pless at the time, spoke to the same effect. The subject of peace was not touched on by him. The gravity of the situation must have often brought it to mind. The enemy's intentions prevented any steps being taken.
My position was a thankless one, as I fully realized. I entered on my duties with a sacred desire to do and think of nothing that did not contribute to bring the war to a victorious end. For this purpose alone had the Field-Marshal and I been called upon. The task was perfectly enormous. The awful feeling of responsibility did not leave me for a single instant. The field of action was in many respects entirely new and uncommonly
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