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Books > History > World history > From 1900 > First World War
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Mons, an Artillery Battle (Paperback)
Loot Price: R547
Discovery Miles 5 470
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Mons, an Artillery Battle (Paperback)
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List price R618
Loot Price R547
Discovery Miles 5 470
You Save R71 (11%)
Expected to ship within 9 - 15 working days
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This book is a history of the Battle of Mons in August 1914. It
diverges widely from the story enshrined as fact in the Official
History, and by subsequent accounts dependant on it. It is based on
an examination of the war diaries of almost every British unit
involved in the battle, with particular reference to the artillery,
thus illuminating the tactical intentions of all arms in every
phase of the battle. The artillery had made tactical preparations
for the handling of their guns in battle. All units in the British
Army conformed to Field Service Regulations. The central role that
both these played in the battle is explored. In documenting the
orders to, and subsequent actions of, junior units, many routinely
referenced statements in even recent publications pertaining to the
battle are challenged. The British went into battle without much of
its field artillery. The German field artillery went into battle
with totally defective ammunition. These two facts alone profoundly
alter the conventional narrative. The primary importance of
well-positioned artillery, supporting British army manoeuvres, is
explained. The routine protection that the guns supplied to their
allocated infantry battalions is described; and the devastating
effect of German howitzer fire on a number of British infantry and
artillery units documented. Each of the three senior British
generals reacted differently to the stress of battle, and their
anxieties can be followed and explored in detail. General French,
in command of the British Expeditionary Force, remained in tighter
control of events than is generally portrayed. General
Smith-Dorrien, of II Corps, is confirmed as the main architect of
the fighting on the day; and with luck on his side, fought an
almost faultless campaign. Both were relying on General Haig, to
bring his I Corps up in support II Corps. Not only did he disobey
this order to advance, but he did not warn either General French or
II Corps that he was withholding support. This breached Army
Regulations, and endangered the whole force. The records reveal
that he side-lined his staff, and issued such a series of orders
and counter-orders, that he exasperated and demoralised his men.
General Haig's report on the battle is an oft-quoted primary
source. From the day before the battle, it is so inaccurate as to
be almost valueless as a summary of events. If the full details of
his actions on the day had been known at the time, he could have
been dismissed for incompetence. He might even have been
court-martialled. How each of the three generals perceived the role
of the artillery under their command is also explored, from the
point of view of their previous military experience. The origins of
the poor use of artillery by the British Army later in the war can
be traced back; partly to the professional army structure of 1914
and the qualities that would be lost as their casualties mounted;
and partly to cavalry generals winning out over infantry generals
in the direction of future campaigns of the British army. The
Battle of Mons was a dress-rehearsal for the war on the Western
Front. It was of disproportionate importance in determining how the
British army was handled in the future. It deserves to be better
understood by students of the period.
General
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