Meckel, Klemens Wilhelm Jakob

Japanese: メッケル - Ｍｅｃｋｅｌ，ＫｌｅｍｅｎｓＷｉｌｈｅｌｍＪａｋｏｂ

Year of death: 1906.7.5 (1906.7.5)
Born: March 28, 1842
German army officer. Recommended by Field Marshal Moltke, he came to Japan in 1885 (Meiji 18) as a teacher at the Japanese Army War College (opened in 1883). The Kishu (Wakayama) Domain had already received German-style military training from Kappen in 1867 (Keio 3), but the Meiji government's army was French-style. In 1883, the decision was made to adopt the German style, and Army Minister Oyama Iwao traveled to Germany with Colonel Katsura Taro and welcomed Staff Major Meckel, who had distinguished himself in the Franco-Prussian War, with a monthly salary of $500. For three years, he taught advanced military science, military system, strategy and tactics, and advised Kodama Gentarou, head of the Army War College, and others as the army's top advisor. He was knowledgeable and experienced, and gave thorough instruction to the students. He advocated the preemptive strike, taught that the first battles must be won, and preached his theory that the most important element of an elite army is military spirit, which had a great influence on the army. Many of his students served as staff officers in both the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars, and Meckel was highly praised for the army's victories. Inviting him drew the wrath of France, but he became a catalyst for the army's thorough Germanization. He returned to Japan in 1888. He later became the commander of the Metz regiment and vice chief of staff. In 1904, the Japanese government awarded him the Order of the Sacred Treasure 1st class. <References> Nakamura Tadashi, "New Imperial Army History: A History of the Japanese Army," Takahashi Kunitaro, "Foreign Employees (Military)," Shukuri Shigekazu, "Research into the History of the Japanese Army: Major Meckel"

(Kageyama Koichiro)

Source: Asahi Japanese Historical Biography: Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc. About Asahi Japanese Historical Biography

Japanese:

没年：1906.7.5(1906.7.5)
生年：1842.3.28
ドイツの陸軍軍人。モルトケ元帥の推薦により明治18(1885)年日本陸軍大学校(1883年開校)の教師として来日。ドイツ式軍事訓練はすでに慶応3(1867)年紀州(和歌山)藩がカッペンから受けていたが,明治政府の陸軍はフランス式だった。明治16年ドイツ式を採用することとし,陸軍卿大山巌が桂太郎大佐と共にドイツに渡り,普仏戦争で勲功をたてたメッケル参謀少佐を月俸500ドルで迎えた。彼は3年間,高等兵学の軍制学,戦略戦術を講じ,陸軍の最高顧問として陸軍大学校長児玉源太郎らに助言をした。学識経験に富み,学生達を懇切に指導した。先制を説き,緒戦に勝たねばならぬと教え,精鋭なる軍の最大要素は軍人精神だとする持論を説き,陸軍に大きな影響を与えた。教え子達の多くは日清・日露両戦争で参謀将校を務め,陸軍の戦勝は,メッケルに負うと高く評価された。彼を招いたことは,フランスの反感を買ったが,陸軍がドイツ化を徹底する促進剤となった。明治21年に帰国。のちメッツ連隊長,参謀次長。同37(1904)年,日本政府は勲1等瑞宝章を贈った。<参考文献>中村赴『新説明治陸軍史』,高橋邦太郎『お雇い外国人(軍事)』,宿利重一『日本陸軍史研究メッケル少佐』

(影山好一郎)

出典　朝日日本歴史人物事典：（株）朝日新聞出版朝日日本歴史人物事典について　情報

<<: Meckel's cartilage

>>: Meckenem, Israel van