War books

WAR BOOKS

From the British point of view this is one of the most interesting and important of German War books, as it was the author who fought us at Mons and Le Cateau and again on the Aisne. His book has been written from his own notes and official material. He is revealed in it as the headstrong fighting man of legend. He is quite unrepentant regarding his neglect of Paris, and critical of the commanders of the neighbouring armies, not perhaps recognising their difficulties. His own were caused largelv by lack of reconnaissance, which kept him in the dark about the movements of General Maunoury’s army, and that in turn was largely due to the German cavalry losing itself and becoming worn out after its adventures in the action of Nery.

WAR BOOKS

This book is of interest to British readers, because General Lanrezac’s Army was on the right of the British at the Battle of Mons and because the general himself was

REMINISCENCE

A remarkable account of the earliest days of the War by a lance-corporal of the 4th Middlesex, 3rd Division. The author’s battalion is said to have been the first British infantry unit to fire a shot in France. He himself began the Battle of Mons in an outpost position in front of his company between Mons and the Obourg bridge, and was hotly engaged “ on his own ” before he fell back to the main line, where the company suffered heavily, but inflicted great loss on the enemy. His account of Le

REMINISCENCE : FOREIGN

Captain Bloem, a well-known novelist, was serving at the outbreak of war as a reserve captain and commanding a company of the 12th (Brandenburg) Grenadier Regiment. His book contains a good account of the mobilisation and the advance through Belgium, but for British readers its especial interest lies in a graphic description of the fighting near Tertre during the Battle of Mons, when his regiment was very severely handled by the 1st Royal West Kent Regiment (5th Division) on the Mons Canal line near St Ghislain. The record is carried up to the Battle of the Aisne, where the author was wounded.

PREFACE

Then we step down from these eeries of high observation to the campaign or the single battle on sea or land. All the most instructive and interesting battles have their critics, especially when they are dramatic or of vital import, as are Tannenberg and Jutland. The French and Germans, in particular, have published a great number of monographs on battles and short campaigns from the point of view of the professional soldier. Then come the records of formations and units. Almost every infantry and cavalry regiment of the British Army has produced a history of its career during the War, these volumes being in many cases continuations of pre-War histories, thus linking Haig with Marlborough in the Low Countries and Allenby with Abercromby in the Near East. These regimental histories suffer from the constitution of our Army ; for their writers have to follow a dozen or even a score of battalions to theatres of war all over the world. The numerous divisional histories are more satisfactory. The division was for us the real “ unit ” of the Great War, and, though soldiers of to-day may not like to hear it — since the divisions are dead and the regiments live on — divisional pride and esprit de corps were at the very least as high and important as regimental. Indifferent work has been done in this field, but a great deal of good work also. Necessarily formal in tone and hedged in by certain conventions, these books are a valuable contribution to general history as well as monuments to the formations and units themselves. Very numerous, they are known as a whole only to students, though most of them have a large special public of survivors and the kindred of the men who fell in battle.

WAR BOOKS

The story of Tannenberg has been told by the Germans from many points of view. Major-General Ironside was, when he wrote this book, Commandant of the Staff College, and he has retold it, not by any means as a new contri¬ bution to “ pure history,” but in order to teach British soldiers the lessons it contains. That short campaign of big movements and hard hitting is indeed very interesting.

HISTORY— GENERAL

Major-General Ironside gives the Germans every credit for their resolution and speed, but points out how greatly they were assisted by their opponents’ lack of training and equipment, and by the mistakes made by the two separated Russian commanders. After all his criticisms, however, Tannenberg remains one of the most brilliant operations of the War, as he is ready to admit.

REMINISCENCE

Colonel Knox (as he then was) had been for several years British Military Attache at St Petersburg when war broke out. A senior officer, Sir John Hanbury-Williams, was then sent out as British representative at Russian G.H.Q., and Colonel Knox had a roving commission to visit all parts of the front. He spoke Russian fluently, understood the Russian Army, and was popular with the officers. His reminiscences are therefore of the highest value from the day of Tannenberg to the Revolution, especially as he is always careful to distinguish between what he saw as an eye-witness and what he heard from others. His descrip¬ tion of Russian soldiers and of their commanders is illuminating, and, much as he liked them, it is their weaknesses in modern warfare that leaves the strongest impression.

HISTORY— GENERAL

than the abandonment of the universally used “ First, Second, and Third Battles of Ypres.” In this case as in a good many others, it is to be expected that its decisions will be disregarded by the general public and even by historians. A great deal of its report is, however, of value.

WAR BOOKS

This is the third volume of the history of the Household Cavalry, and covers the period from the accession of King Edward VII to the end of the Great War. The Household Cavalry was represented from the first, though to begin with only by a composite regiment, and played a fine part in the First Battle of Ypres. Thereafter it had its full share of service, including a great deal in the trenches. A “ Household Battalion ” of dismounted cavalry was also formed, but disbanded after heavy losses. Sir George Arthur’s account is easily and pleasantly written, and the book is produced very handsomely.

WAR BOOKS

North Midlands, which did not land in France until the beginning of 1917. It fought in the Third Battle of Ypres and at Cambrai, and was reconstituted after being almost destroyed in the German offensive of March 1918.

WAR BOOKS

The 38th (Welsh) Division went to France in December 1915. It captured Mametz Wood in the early stages of the Somme, and after passing the interval in the Ypres Salient took part in the Third Battle of Ypres in the summer of 1917. It missed the two German offensives, but saw heavy fighting in the final British advance. The book is a bare summary, without maps or illustrations.

WAR BOOKS

A clear record, illustrated by attractive etchings and by good maps, of a sound, typical formation of the New Armies. The division took a small part in the Battle of Loos, but a great part in that of the Somme. It then went to Flanders, and in 1917 fought at Messines and “ Third Ypres.” In October it went to Italy and remained there for the rest of the War. The Italian year is interesting, though the division saw little heavy fighting except for an Austrian attack in June until the final offensive of Vittorio- Veneto, in which it played an honourable part.

WAR BOOKS

The 1 2th Division belonged to “ the First Hundred Thousand.” It arrived early in France, in May 1915, and served there throughout its career. It took part in the Battles of Loos, the Somme, Arras, and Cambrai. It

REMINISCENCE

“ Arnewood ” has revealed himself elsewhere to be Major E. D. M. H. Cooke, R.F.A. His scattered reminiscences include the Battle of Loos, the Somme, a visit to India, and operations in Palestine. The last is particularly interesting, as he gives a graphic account of the capture of Jerusalem, into the suburbs of which he must have been about the first man in the British Army to penetrate.

WAR BOOKS

Miss Luard was four years a nursing sister in France, but the period which she describes was when she was in charge of the nursing at Casualty Clearing Stations between October 1915 and August 1918. She begins with the Battle of Loos ; then come Arras, Third Ypres, the German March offensive, and the beginning of the Allied advance. This is one of the finest diaries of its kind. The writer’s attitude is eminently sane, and there is none of that literary play with horrors which is disgusting without adding anything to the plain facts. These she records regularly from day to day. To discover the methods, the experiences, and the spirit of the nurses in a Casualty Clearing Station it is much better to go to her than to the so-called artists. A noble, spirited, and affecting book.

WAR BOOKS

All his life the late Lord Rawlinson kept very full records of the events in which he took part and his opinions on them. Major-General Maurice has compiled a most interesting book, which gives a good notion of the trend of military thought before the War. The portions relating to the War itself, especially the Battles of the Somme and of the 8th August 1918, are of great value.

HISTORY— GENERAL

The first volume of the official Air History was written by Sir Walter Raleigh. It goes outside its subject so far as to deal, in a fascinating manner, with the pioneers of aerial navigation, and tells the story of the Great War down to the winter of 1914. It was an experiment to put an official history of a highly technical subject into the hands of a university professor, however fine a writer ; but it must be said that as an experiment it largely succeeded. The book is certainly a fine piece of literature as well as a clear account of its subject. After Sir Walter’s death another famous professor, Mr D. G. Hogarth, took over the task, but was compelled by ill-health to abandon it, and shortly afterwards died also. It was then taken over by Mr H. A. Jones, who has written the second volume and is engaged upon the third. The second tells the story of the Dardanelles Campaign, carries on the record on the Western Front up to the end of the Battle of the Somme, and also deals with naval operations of that period from the point of view of the R.F.C. From the technical point of view it is declared by good authorities to be superior to its predecessor. From the literary point of view it certainly does not disgrace the companion volume. It is altogether a very fine piece of work.

WAR BOOKS

The magnificent record of the 29th Division, the only Regular British formation which took part in the Gallipoli Campaign, is well known so far as Gallipoli is concerned. Its hard and continuous fighting in France, in the Battles of the Somme, Arras, Ypres, Cambrai, and the final offensive in Flanders, the general public has less knowledge of. Captain Gillon tells his story in a straightforward manner, the manner rather of a soldier than a professional historian. He has inserted some very useful appendices which enable one to see at a glance where the division was at any particular period, the length of its tours of duty in the trenches, and the period during which it was in front line during active operations. His maps are good.

WAR BOOKS

The 20th Division is most intimately connected with the Ypres Salient and the battlefield of the Somme. Captain Inglefield tells its story in a straightforward manner, without much literary artifice, but with sincerity and care.

WAR BOOKS

From the British point of view this is one of the most interesting and important of German War books, as it was the author who fought us at Mons and Le Cateau and again on the Aisne. His book has been written from his own notes and official material. He is revealed in it as the headstrong fighting man of legend. He is quite unrepentant regarding his neglect of Paris, and critical of the commanders of the neighbouring armies, not perhaps recognising their difficulties. His own were caused largelv by lack of reconnaissance, which kept him in the dark about the movements of General Maunoury’s army, and that in turn was largely due to the German cavalry losing itself and becoming worn out after its adventures in the action of Nery.

WAR BOOKS

joined the main British Expeditionary Force, which had moved north after the Battle of the Aisne, and was thrown into the turmoil of “ First Ypres.” In almost every great battle of the Western Front it played its part, till in the winter of 1917-1918 it was sent to Italy as a result of the recent Italian disaster. There it had a quiet time, but took part in the following October in the final victorious offensive.

WAR BOOKS

Mr King enlisted in the French Foreign Legion just after the outbreak of war. He was an American, and his companions in those days were mainly Swiss, Belgian, and British, though most neutral nations were represented among them and there were several of his own countrymen. He reached the line in November and took part in the Champagne offensive in 1915. Finally he was transferred to the American Army. His book is not of particular interest except for its good descriptions of the various types of Legionary.

REMINISCENCE : FOREIGN

Captain Bloem, a well-known novelist, was serving at the outbreak of war as a reserve captain and commanding a company of the 12th (Brandenburg) Grenadier Regiment. His book contains a good account of the mobilisation and the advance through Belgium, but for British readers its especial interest lies in a graphic description of the fighting near Tertre during the Battle of Mons, when his regiment was very severely handled by the 1st Royal West Kent Regiment (5th Division) on the Mons Canal line near St Ghislain. The record is carried up to the Battle of the Aisne, where the author was wounded.

HISTORY— GENERAL

than the abandonment of the universally used “ First, Second, and Third Battles of Ypres.” In this case as in a good many others, it is to be expected that its decisions will be disregarded by the general public and even by historians. A great deal of its report is, however, of value.

WAR BOOKS

This is the third volume of the history of the Household Cavalry, and covers the period from the accession of King Edward VII to the end of the Great War. The Household Cavalry was represented from the first, though to begin with only by a composite regiment, and played a fine part in the First Battle of Ypres. Thereafter it had its full share of service, including a great deal in the trenches. A “ Household Battalion ” of dismounted cavalry was also formed, but disbanded after heavy losses. Sir George Arthur’s account is easily and pleasantly written, and the book is produced very handsomely.

WAR BOOKS

North Midlands, which did not land in France until the beginning of 1917. It fought in the Third Battle of Ypres and at Cambrai, and was reconstituted after being almost destroyed in the German offensive of March 1918.

WAR BOOKS

The 38th (Welsh) Division went to France in December 1915. It captured Mametz Wood in the early stages of the Somme, and after passing the interval in the Ypres Salient took part in the Third Battle of Ypres in the summer of 1917. It missed the two German offensives, but saw heavy fighting in the final British advance. The book is a bare summary, without maps or illustrations.

WAR BOOKS

The history of the campaigns in Egypt and Palestine is divided into two volumes. The first covers the periods of command of Sir John Maxwell and Sir Archibald Murray, up to June 1917. The second, which will be published shortly, describes the campaign of Lord Allenby. The first volume thus deals with the defence of the Suez Canal, the advance across Sinai into Southern Palestine, and the First and Second Battles of Gaza. The campaign against the Senussi, minor operations in the Sudan and against the Sultan of Darfur, and the outbreak of the Arab Revolt are also described.

HISTORY— GENERAL

In these three volumes Mr Massey covers the whole of the Egyptian and Palestine Campaigns. The first takes the wanderers through the wilderness of Sinai ; the second describes the Third Battle of Gaza, the capture of Jeru-

WAR BOOKS

The 42nd Division was sent out to Egypt at the very beginning of the War, in September 1914. It took part in the Gallipoli Campaign, returned to Egypt to have a share in the reconquest of Sinai under Sir Archibald Murray, but was sent to France before the heavy fighting at Gaza developed in the spring of 1917. There it did well in the final offensive, ending up in the neighbourhood of Maubeuge. The maps in this history are not very good, but in exchange there are great numbers of excellent photographs.

WAR ROOKS

The 53rd Division served at Gallipoli, in Egypt, Sinai, and Palestine. In the summer of 1918 it was reorganised, in common with most of the troops of the Egyptian Ex¬ peditionary Force, on an Indian basis, retaining as regards its infantry only three of its original Welsh battalions. Its most notable achievements were in the bitterly dis¬ appointing First Battle of Gaza in March 1917, and in the hill fighting north of Beersheba of the Third Battle of Gaza in November of that year. It also took part in the capture of Jerusalem. Major Dudley Ward is a careful historian with sound military knowledge. He makes full use of diaries kept by officers and supplies good maps.

WAR BOOKS

North Midlands, which did not land in France until the beginning of 1917. It fought in the Third Battle of Ypres and at Cambrai, and was reconstituted after being almost destroyed in the German offensive of March 1918.

WAR BOOKS

The history of a single battalion in the Great War can obviously have but a limited appeal. From all other points of view, however, these books are far superior to the ordinary regimental history, which follows the fortunes of perhaps a dozen battalions, Regular, Territorial, and New Army, all over the world, and is in consequence often scrappy and uninteresting. This is not only a good history, well written, with good maps and good illustrations in water-colours, but its subject is a good battalion with an interesting career. It was one of those selected because of the advanced state of its training for early service in France and attachment to brigades which had suffered heavy loss. It was writh the Meerut Division from the winter of 1914, and fought under its orders at Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, and Loos. Returning to its own Highland Division (the 51st) in early 1916, it continued to distinguish itself. The fight at Fontaine-Notre-Dame in the Battle of Cambrai was its greatest exploit and is most ably described.

WAR ROOKS

The 40th Division was formed late, not till September 1915, and did not go to France until June 1916. As it missed the Somme, except for the final stages of following up the enemy’s retreat to the Hindenburg Line, its war record is a comparatively short one. It greatly distin¬ guished itself in the Battle of Cambrai. It was involved in the German offensives on the Somme (in March) and on the Lys (in April) and was afterwards broken up, but reconstituted in time to take part in the victorious offensive. Colonel Whitton’s account of its career has more personal interest than is common in such work.

WAR BOOKS

Mr Beaman went out to France in September 1917 as a Chaplain for attachment to a cavalry regiment. He records in great detail the life behind the lines, the events of the Battle of Cambrai, the German March offensive, and the advance to victory. He is a sympathetic writer.

HISTORY— GENERAL

than the abandonment of the universally used “ First, Second, and Third Battles of Ypres.” In this case as in a good many others, it is to be expected that its decisions will be disregarded by the general public and even by historians. A great deal of its report is, however, of value.

WAR BOOKS

This is the third volume of the history of the Household Cavalry, and covers the period from the accession of King Edward VII to the end of the Great War. The Household Cavalry was represented from the first, though to begin with only by a composite regiment, and played a fine part in the First Battle of Ypres. Thereafter it had its full share of service, including a great deal in the trenches. A “ Household Battalion ” of dismounted cavalry was also formed, but disbanded after heavy losses. Sir George Arthur’s account is easily and pleasantly written, and the book is produced very handsomely.

WAR BOOKS

North Midlands, which did not land in France until the beginning of 1917. It fought in the Third Battle of Ypres and at Cambrai, and was reconstituted after being almost destroyed in the German offensive of March 1918.

WAR BOOKS

The 38th (Welsh) Division went to France in December 1915. It captured Mametz Wood in the early stages of the Somme, and after passing the interval in the Ypres Salient took part in the Third Battle of Ypres in the summer of 1917. It missed the two German offensives, but saw heavy fighting in the final British advance. The book is a bare summary, without maps or illustrations.

WAR BOOKS

From the British point of view this is one of the most interesting and important of German War books, as it was the author who fought us at Mons and Le Cateau and again on the Aisne. His book has been written from his own notes and official material. He is revealed in it as the headstrong fighting man of legend. He is quite unrepentant regarding his neglect of Paris, and critical of the commanders of the neighbouring armies, not perhaps recognising their difficulties. His own were caused largelv by lack of reconnaissance, which kept him in the dark about the movements of General Maunoury’s army, and that in turn was largely due to the German cavalry losing itself and becoming worn out after its adventures in the action of Nery.

WAR BOOKS

The operations of the German cavalry during the advance into Belgium and France, at the Marne and Aisne, and during the Race to the Sea are well recorded, and there are good maps and sketches.

WAR BOOKS

joined the main British Expeditionary Force, which had moved north after the Battle of the Aisne, and was thrown into the turmoil of “ First Ypres.” In almost every great battle of the Western Front it played its part, till in the winter of 1917-1918 it was sent to Italy as a result of the recent Italian disaster. There it had a quiet time, but took part in the following October in the final victorious offensive.

REMINISCENCE : FOREIGN

Captain Bloem, a well-known novelist, was serving at the outbreak of war as a reserve captain and commanding a company of the 12th (Brandenburg) Grenadier Regiment. His book contains a good account of the mobilisation and the advance through Belgium, but for British readers its especial interest lies in a graphic description of the fighting near Tertre during the Battle of Mons, when his regiment was very severely handled by the 1st Royal West Kent Regiment (5th Division) on the Mons Canal line near St Ghislain. The record is carried up to the Battle of the Aisne, where the author was wounded.

WAR BOOKS

From the British point of view this is one of the most interesting and important of German War books, as it was the author who fought us at Mons and Le Cateau and again on the Aisne. His book has been written from his own notes and official material. He is revealed in it as the headstrong fighting man of legend. He is quite unrepentant regarding his neglect of Paris, and critical of the commanders of the neighbouring armies, not perhaps recognising their difficulties. His own were caused largelv by lack of reconnaissance, which kept him in the dark about the movements of General Maunoury’s army, and that in turn was largely due to the German cavalry losing itself and becoming worn out after its adventures in the action of Nery.

WAR BOOKS

The operations of the German cavalry during the advance into Belgium and France, at the Marne and Aisne, and during the Race to the Sea are well recorded, and there are good maps and sketches.

WAR BOOKS

joined the main British Expeditionary Force, which had moved north after the Battle of the Aisne, and was thrown into the turmoil of “ First Ypres.” In almost every great battle of the Western Front it played its part, till in the winter of 1917-1918 it was sent to Italy as a result of the recent Italian disaster. There it had a quiet time, but took part in the following October in the final victorious offensive.

REMINISCENCE : FOREIGN

Captain Bloem, a well-known novelist, was serving at the outbreak of war as a reserve captain and commanding a company of the 12th (Brandenburg) Grenadier Regiment. His book contains a good account of the mobilisation and the advance through Belgium, but for British readers its especial interest lies in a graphic description of the fighting near Tertre during the Battle of Mons, when his regiment was very severely handled by the 1st Royal West Kent Regiment (5th Division) on the Mons Canal line near St Ghislain. The record is carried up to the Battle of the Aisne, where the author was wounded.