Gustavus Adolphus and Military Justice

• Author: ByLieutenant ColonelNorman G. Cooper
• Pages: 03

The great warrior king of Sweden, Gvstavus I1 Adolphus 11594-16321, is best known for his tactical and organizational genius. displayed during the Thirty Years' War and in other conflicts An important part of his program of reform of the Swedish army was an emphasis on improved discipline. embodied in the Articles ofWar of 1621. Harsh and primitive by today's standards, the code represented in its time B great improvement over the arbitrary and cruel disciplinary practices which were commonly employed in European armies

In this short article. Lieutenant Colonel Cooper reviews the achievements of Gustavus Adolphus. with emphasis on the Ar. tides of War He offers comments on the relationship between the Articles and today's Uniform Code ofNi1itary Justice

I. GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS: FATHER OF MODERN DISCIPLINE

Gustavus Adalphus is recognized as B brilliant figure in military history, a leader who revolutionized the OrgmizBtion and tactics of

seventeenth century armies as "the true originator of the concept of the combined arms team which is the basis of all modern tactics."' Less well known 1s the fact that he played an mporrant role Ln the evolution of military 1uStice. The military Z U C C ~ S S ~ E

of this

most famous of Swedish warrior kings were due not only to his skill in the employment of men end arms bur to the discipline of his forces Gustawr achieved his Yictories with armies whore members were disciplined strictly bur fairly under express codal provisions and procedures. specifically those of the Swedish Ar-ticles of U'ar of 1621. .4n examination of these articles and their impact on the evolution of military justice provide insight into our present system, a system under stress as It operates to maintain discipline in B modern volunteer army

Gustavur Adalphus V B S born December 9, 1594, in Stockholm,

Sweden He received an excellent education and 8s a youth was at. tracted to miiitary affairs In 1609, follawmg a truce in the Dutch wars with Spain, many soldiers came to Sweden to offer their services Before his seventeenth birthday Gustavus was leading Swedish troops against Danish invaders Thereafter. with feu in-

]The leadrng authority on Guriaius 4dalphus ib Michasl Roberts uhoie iua.ialumowark.Gurtaiu~Adolphui

AHisfor) ofSweden, 1611 1632 ~schedetinirive history of Gusraiwi and hlr umes %alter Harre I The Hlrlary of Guiravus Adolphur King of Sfisden Surnamsd rho Great 118071. rsfleci. Proteitsnr English hero wrihip of Guntauus bur E replete with story and detal1 Fmally Kh.Ahnlund 8 Guiraxui Adolphus the GreatilS101. translated by Michael Roberts. pro\ideathe hesrpolitical anal?aliofGuira,ua'relgnGuiravus %,ab an avid student of the expmeneer of rheie aaldmo. and Lralned for i ~ w r d l monrhs under Counr Jakub P de la Cardia 11585.16521 rho "as B distinguished ioldier under Prme \launce of Orange 11667-1626l 85 -ell a3 ~nSwedish servm later hils Ahnlund Gustaius 4dolphus the Great at 39 119101, trsnr hu Michael Robert.

Gulravus %,ab an avid student of the experience3 of rheie aaldiero. and trained for

lFYDldl monrhs under Counr Jakub P de la Cardia 11585.16521 rho "as B

distinguished ioldier under Prmce \launce of Orange 1166;-1626) 85 *ell a3 ~nSwedmh SerVIce later hlls Ahnlund Gustaius 4dolohus fhp G w a l at 39 119401 trsnr hu Michael Robert.

19811 GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS

temuptions. Gustavus Adolphus was engaged in extensive fighting in Russia, Poland, and finally Germany He was wounded many times and ultimately slain in 1632 on the battleiield at Lutzen. the scene oi one of his most famous victories in the Thirty...