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Through Mobility We Conquer: The Mechanization of U.S. Cavalry

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Through Mobility We Conquer is, to date, the most significant scholarly work to focus exclusively on mechanization in the U.S. Cavalry from World War I through the abolition of the branch following World War II. While the topic has been covered peripherally in other works, George F. Hofmann deserves credit for presenting the importance of cavalry mechanization so prominently. Hofmann, an Adjunct Associate Professor of History at the University of Cincinnati, is certainly one of the most appropriate individuals to write such a book, having previously written about the interwar period and other closely related topics. His previous books include: Super Sixth: The History of the 6th Armored Division in World War II (originally published in 1975; reprinted by Battery Press in 2000); Cold War Casualty: The Court-Martial of Major General Robert W. Grow (Kent State University Press, 1993); and Camp Colt to Desert Storm: The History of U.S. Armored Forces (University Press of Kentucky, 1999), which he co-edited with General Donn A. Starry.

Through Mobility We Conquer focuses on two closely related historical events - the creation of the Office of the Chief of Cavalry (created by the National Defense Act of 1920 along with parallel branch chiefs for the other combat arms) and the appointment, in 1938, of John K. Herr as Chief of Cavalry. Hofmann rightly acknowledges the harm that branch parochialism did to the process of mechanization. In particular, the rivalry between the cavalry and infantry led to neither branch perfecting the use of tanks (which, though prohibited to the cavalry by the National Defense Act of 1920, were nevertheless purchased and simply re-designated `combat cars') nor controlling their future after 1940 and the creation of the `Armored Force'. As regards Major General John K. Herr, I agree with Hofmann's general assessment and have no doubts that, had Adna R. Chaffee, Jr., Daniel Van Voorhis, or another pro-mechanization cavalry officer been appointed Chief of Cavalry in 1938, cavalry would remain the principal maneuver branch of the U.S. Army. Hofmann is also to be commended for his sections on J. Walter Christie (about whom he previously published an article in Military Affairs, the precursor of the Journal of Military History) and U.S. Constabulary.

Most of my criticisms of Through Mobility We Conquer are those of one specialist nitpicking the work of another specialist in the same field and, therefore, inappropriate to a public book review. Nevertheless, if I might be permitted a moment of vanity, Hofmann is to be appropriately criticized for his glaring bibliographic omission of one article and one dissertation (Bielakowski, Alexander M. "The Last Chief of Cavalry - Major General John K. Herr," Journal of America's Military Past 28:2 (Fall 2001), 67-82; and Bielakowski, Alexander M. U.S. Army Cavalry Officers and the Issue of Mechanization, 1920 to 1942. Ph.D. diss., Kansas State University, 2002). Otherwise, Hofmann's book represents the best and most important work yet done on interwar cavalry mechanization and its effects on the U.S. Army in World War II. I highly recommend this book and find it hard to believe that it will be surpassed anytime soon.

I bought this for my dad, a veteran of the Second Armored Cavalry who fought through Europe with the unit where he received the first two of four combat wounds in his 25 year career. At age 90, he was thrilled to learn of the strategic background and military concepts which drove his world 60+ years ago. I read several portions of the book and found it well-written, with concise, clear prose. I was disappointed in the photo captions--they fell short of the much more professional tone of the text--and offered some commentary that seemed unwarranted--such as the combat effectiveness of the M-8 armored car which served well in its recon role (and soldiered on into the 60s and 70s in parts of the world). In all, a most excellent narrative of the little-known cavalry war.