The Killing Ground: The British Army, the Western Front & Emergence of Modern Warfare 1900-1918 (Pen & Sword Military Classics) [Paperback]

Tim Travers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2003 | Series: Pen & Sword Military Classics

This book explains why the British Army fought the way it did in the First World War. It integrates social and military history and the impact of ideas to tell the story of how the army, especially the senior officers, adapted to the new technological warfare and asks: was the style of warfare on the Western Front inevitable?

Using an extensive range of unpublished diaries, letters, memoirs and Cabinet and War Office files, Professor Travers explains how and why the ideas, tactics and strategies emerged. He emphasizes the influence of pre-war social and military attitudes, and examines the early life and career of Sir Douglas Haig. The author's analysis of the preparations for the Battles of the Somme and Passchendaele provide new interpretations of the role of Haig and his GHQ, and he explains the reasons for the unexpected British Withdrawal in March 1918. An appendix supplies short biographies of senior British officers. In general, historians of the First World war are in two hostile camps: those who see the futility of lions led by donkeys on the one hand and on the other the apologists for Haig and the conduct of the war. Professor Traver's immensely readable book provides a bridge between the two.

Product Details

• Paperback: 342 pages
• Publisher: Pen & Sword Books (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850529646
• ISBN-13: 978-0850529647
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #601,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars An Immensely Valuable Look at WWI., October 4, 2011

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Stephen M. St Onge "Stephen M. St. Onge" (Mpls, MN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Killing Ground: The British Army, the Western Front & Emergence of Modern Warfare 1900-1918 (Pen & Sword Military Classics) (Paperback)

The majority of those who have looked at the way the BEF fought in WWI seem to have concluded that the British generals were stupid or insane. A minority have concluded that those commanders did rather well. Travers rejects both conclusions.

In Travers's view, the Haig & Co. did their best to prepare for a European war, but misunderstood many important things. More importantly, Travers sees them as mentally frozen, unable to reject certain pre-war attitudes and ideas that just weren't true any longer. He argues his case cogently, and I find his conclusions persuasive.

Highly recommended.