Description
Evaluating the great gap that exists between theory and practice, between textbook and bullet-swept mudfield, Griffith argues that many battles were carefully planned to exploit advanced tactics and to avoid casualties, but that breakthrough was simply impossible under the conditions of the time. According to Griffith, the British were already masters of "storm troop tactics" by the end of 1916, and in several important respects were further ahead than the Germans would be even in 1918. In fields such as the timing and orchestration of all-arms assaults, predicted artillery fire, "Commando-style" trench raiding, the use of light machine guns, or the barrage fire of heavy machine guns, the British led the world. Although British generals were not military geniuses, says Griffith, they should at least be credited for effectively inventing much of the twentieth-century's art of war.
About the Author
Paddy Griffith is the author of numerous other books on military subjects, including Battle Tactics of the Civil War. Formerly a senior lecturer in war studies at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, England, he is now a freelance author and publisher.
Book Information
ISBN 9780300066630
Author Paddy Griffith
Format Paperback
Page Count 302
Imprint Yale University Press
Publisher Yale University Press
Weight(grams) 431g