Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Prussian Army" in English language version.
Harsh military discipline had a long tradition in Germany, stretching back to the days of corporeal punishment in the old Prussian army.
Through harsh discipline and endless drill the Prussians achieved a high state of military efficiency.
It seems that like in many other cases of early modern military justice [...], it was mainly the threat of brutal corporal punishments and the death penalty that kept the men in line than an actual lavish use of them by the authorities.