An Unappreciated Field of Endeavour is not a comprehensive
examination of British Expeditionary Force (BEF) logistics on the
Western Front, nor indeed a short history. To achieve the former
would involve several volumes and the latter would omit much
fascinating detail. It does however bring a new and fresh
perspective by analysing, in a series of engaging essays, the
critical contribution of particular components of military and
commercial logistics to the preparations and operations of the
British and Empire Armies in the pre-war period and during the
Great War on the Western Front, through the lens of specific
elements and themes, each of which, cast penetrating light into
dark corners of an important, yet mainly forgotten story. An
Unappreciated Field of Endeavour explains how pre-war strategic,
economic, political and defence dynamics constrained military
logistic resilience but influenced the plans to rely upon
commercial assets to support military and naval operations, before
examining the role of the commercial railways and mercantile marine
in the planning, preparation and execution of Defence mobilization
and movement in the United Kingdom during Transition To War in
1914. The role of British railways in playing a defining part in a
critical moment of European history is explored in depth as are the
technical processes and managerial interfaces that enabled them.
The contribution of British commercial and business leaders and
managers to enhancing the combat capability of the BEF is examined
through the lens of the increasing industrialization of logistic
support to operations. In particular, the influence of commercial
practice in improving military logistic efficiency and
effectiveness, whilst also subtly changing military culture is
matched to the dynamics and frictions of employing commercial
logistic advisers in the operational environment of the Western
Front. Whilst, the exploits of the combat elements of the BEF in
1914 have been analysed in depth, the contribution of the
logisticians who kept the BEF in the fight has effectively marched
into the mists of time. An Unappreciated Field of Endeavour
explores the success of the BEF's Quartermaster-General, Wully
Robertson, in utilizing the skill of his logistic planners and
soldiers to deliver the agile operational logistic capability that
was the salvation of the BEF in 1914. Also examined, is the long
forgotten but extraordinary logistic feat of deploying Indian
Expeditionary Force A to France, through the mobilization and
transportation of its soldiers across deserts and oceans before its
complex logistic integration to the BEF in France. The solutions to
the challenges in executing these operations by military and
civilian logisticians from Britain, France and India, offer unusual
insight into Coalition co-operation from three culturally diverse
countries. Rarely studied, logistic planning, resources and
execution played a crucial role in the preparations for the Battle
of the Somme. These important aspects are analysed to highlight a
developing capability, the military 'learning curve' of which, is
of at least equal significance to those in the operational and
tactical environments. The influence of the BEF's Wheeled Motor
Transport (WMT) component upon the operational art on the Western
Front is reviewed, including its impact upon the deployment and
employment of armour, infantry, artillery and aviation. These were
all affected by the expanding use of WMT, creating a requirement to
improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Logistics were
fundamental to the use of tanks in the Great War, an aspect
comprehensively examined, to assess how transportation in
particular, constrained the development of operational deployments.
An Unappreciated Field of Endeavour also analyses how, in 1918, the
BEF's logisticians were able to generate the capability to sustain
All-Arms mobile three dimensional combat operations in a chemical
warfare environment, whilst maintaining the momentum of the
advance, having focused mainly upon supporting siege warfare for
the previous four years. The corporate memory of the commercial
aspect is even more faded than the military one but it was an
essential component of the British and Empire endeavours on the
Western Front and is lucidly exposed. The combined military and
commercial story has many facets: innovative people, constant
training, emerging technology, developing doctrine, fresh ideas,
new equipment, maturing experience, complex planning, increasing
mechanization and relentless industry. An Unappreciated Field of
Endeavour draws these threads from the bobbins to weave a colourful
pattern of achievement, whilst illustrating how logistics evolved
to overcome complex challenges and in doing so, transformed
operations, creating a Great War legacy that links to defence
logistics in the 21st Century, particularly in the expanding arena
of contractor support to operations. Logistics however, do not swim
alone in the military pond. At the operational level, the role of
logistics is to develop, sustain and regenerate combat power to
ensure that the tempo and effectiveness of the operations maintain
momentum. Equally, logistics places constraints on strategy and
tactics. On the Western Front, the BEF's enormous logistic
capability was not an end in itself but a vital means to achieve
the military aim, an observation as valid today as it was in 1918.
Great War military logistics, not generally perceived to be racy,
has, for far too long, held its light behind a bushel, its
practitioners, from General to Private, long gone and the
experiences they had and lessons they learnt, lying in dusty
volumes in archives and libraries. An Unappreciated Field of
Endeavour brings their important work to life, whilst assessing the
significant aspects and identifying relevant lessons for military
logistics in the 21st Century.
General
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