Yeah, but I think there's more to it than just being able to read the language. You'd really have to learn to understand the social standing of the writer, the cultural biases and influences of the times. There's a lot of nuance in trying to understand what a writer of a different language and time mean as compared to our modern interruptions.... if any of that makes sense....
All very true. The above applies when you read original source material in English, as well. The attitudes, beliefs, and opinions of officers and soldiers of the English, British, and American armies during the War of Spanish Succession or the AWI are very different than those of people today.
Having said that, once you get your head around the cultural milieu of the 18th century in Europe, it's a pretty universal thing, at least among soldiers. Prussian armies and officers are not notably different in how they see the world and their profession than English armies and officers. And let's face it, we're generally talking about descriptions of campaigns and battles here, or garrison duty, or lists of supplies. We aren't trying to puzzle out their well-considered musings on spirituality and philosophy when we're reading military history (usually). So that makes it a bit easier.
