The Mons Myth

Author : Terence Zuber
Publisher : The History Press
Page : 353 pages
File Size : 50,8 Mb
Release : 2011-11-08
Category : History
ISBN : 9780752476285

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Mons Myth by Terence Zuber Pdf

Conventional histories of the Battles of Mons and Le Cateau describe how, although the British were massively outnumbered, precise and rapid rifle fire mowed down rows of German troops: the staggering casualties inflicted made both British victories, and set the stage for the Battle of the Marne. But neither encounter has ever been described in English from the German point of view. Using German tactics manuals and regimental histories, Terence Zuber re-examines the battles at Mons and Le Cateau, subjecting British tactics to a critique that goes beyond admiration for rapid rifle fire and presenting new and startling perspectives, showing how the Germans employed a high degree of tactical sophistication in conducting combined-arms operations. The odds were, in fact, even, and German casualties never reached the levels described in the standard histories. 'The Mons Myth' is the first history of these battles to take this approach in ninety years, and completely changes our understanding of what actually happened.

Author : Terence Zuber
Publisher : The History Press
Page : 435 pages
File Size : 42,6 Mb
Release : 2011-11-08
Category : History
ISBN : 9780752476285

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The Mons Myth by Terence Zuber Pdf

Conventional histories of the Battles of Mons and Le Cateau describe how, although the British were massively outnumbered, precise and rapid rifle fire mowed down rows of German troops: the staggering casualties inflicted made both British victories, and set the stage for the Battle of the Marne. But neither encounter has ever been described in English from the German point of view. Using German tactics manuals and regimental histories, Terence Zuber re-examines the battles at Mons and Le Cateau, subjecting British tactics to a critique that goes beyond admiration for rapid rifle fire and presenting new and startling perspectives, showing how the Germans employed a high degree of tactical sophistication in conducting combined-arms operations. The odds were, in fact, even, and German casualties never reached the levels described in the standard histories. ' The Mons Myth' is the first history of these battles to take this approach in ninety years, and completely changes our understanding of what actually happened.

Author : James Hayward
Publisher : The History Press
Page : 172 pages
File Size : 49,6 Mb
Release : 2011-11-08
Category : History
ISBN : 9780752476308

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Myths and Legends of the First World War by James Hayward Pdf

During the First World War, a rich crop of legends sprouted from the battlefields and grew with such ferocity that many still excite controversy today. This book is the first to examine the roots of those stories and reveal the truth. Some myths remain well-known. Did an entire battalion of the Norfolk Regiment vanish without trace at Gallipoli in 1915? Did thousands of Russian troops actually pass through England with snow on their boots? In 1914, an acute spy mania gripped the British public, who imagined that the country was brimming with German spies. Xenophobia, denunciations and attacks on dachshunds were rampant. Amazingly, there was even talk of enemy aircraft dropping poisoned sweets to kill British children. Myths such as the Angel of Mons and the Comrade in White were more innocent creations. With no radio or television, rumours of disaster were rife, and the apparition of mystical guardian spirits gave hope to the civilian population at home. Other stories, such as the so-called Crucified Canadian, and the existence of a gruesome German corpse rendering factory, were more sinister. Yet in an age of new and startling technologies such as poison gas, submarine warfare and the tank, such tales appeared believable. Using a wide range of contemporary sources, James Hayward traces the story of each myth and examines the likely explanation. Supported by a selection of rare photographs and illustrations, the result is a refreshingly different perspective on the common ‘mud and trenches’ view of the First World War, shedding fascinating new light on many curious and unexplained wartime tales.

Author : James Hayward
Publisher : The History Press
Page : 139 pages
File Size : 47,7 Mb
Release : 2009-09-23
Category : History
ISBN : 9780752495538

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Myths and Legends of the Second World War by James Hayward Pdf

The Second World War gave rise to a rich crop of legends, many of which persist in the public consciousness today. Some are well known, such as the escape of an undead Hitler to South America, Allied aircraft buzzed by 'Foo Fighters' and UFOs, German parachutists dressed as nuns, and a failed German invasion of Suffolk in 1940. Others are more subtle, such as the vaunted Dunkirk spirit, which portrayed the disaster of 1940 as a victory, and the conspiracy theories surrounding Rudolf Hess. Did he fly to Scotland to negotiate a peace treaty with members of the Royal Family? Was the aged prisoner who died in Spandau Prison a double? From tales of betrayal at Dieppe and Arnhem to Hitler's obsession with the occult and Nazi U-boat bases in Ireland, James Hayward offers a refreshing and intriguing perspective on the myths, legends and folk memories of the Second World War.

Author : William Smith
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 528 pages
File Size : 54,5 Mb
Release : 1886
Category : Classical dictionaries
ISBN : UOM:39015041868095

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A Smaller Classical Dictionary of Biography, Mythology, and Geography by William Smith Pdf

Author : Peter Hart
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Page : 545 pages
File Size : 44,7 Mb
Release : 2015-04-14
Category : History
ISBN : 9780190227357

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The Great War by Peter Hart Pdf

Focusing on the decisive engagements of World War I, the author explores the immense challenges faced by the commanders on all sides, looking at the changing weapons and tactics and offering his own assessment on what brought about the war's outcome.

Author : Anonim
Publisher : Penguin
Page : 362 pages
File Size : 46,6 Mb
Release : 2014-04-21
Category : History
ISBN : 9781465434906

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World War I by Anonim Pdf

Vividly portraying confrontation on land, sea, and in the skies, World War I: The Definitive Visual History is a brilliant and fascinating portrait of a world at war. Sumptuously illustrated, this definitive account recounts in striking detail the course of the First World War. Engaging narrative recreates the experience of titanic battles such as Gallipoli, the Somme, and Verdun that left an indelible mark on the collective memory of countries that lost a generation of young men.

Author : Peter Hart
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Page : 537 pages
File Size : 54,5 Mb
Release : 2015
Category : History
ISBN : 9780199989270

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Fire and Movement by Peter Hart Pdf

"The dramatic opening weeks of the Great War passed into legend long before the conflict ended. The British Expeditionary Force fought a mesmerizing campaign, outnumbered and outflanked but courageous and skillful, holding the line against impossible odds, sacrificing themselves to stop the last great German offensive of 1914. A remarkable story of high hopes and crushing disappointment culminates in the climax of the First Battle of Ypres. And yet, as Peter Hart shows in this look at the war's first year, for too long the British part in the 1914 campaigns has been veiled in layers of self-congratulatory myth: a tale of unprepared Britain, reliant on the peerless class of her regular soldiers to bolster the rabble of the unreliable French Army and defeat the teeming hordes of German troops. But the reality of those early months is in fact far more complex-and ultimately, Hart argues, far more powerful than the standard triumphalist narrative. Fire and Movement places the British role in 1914 into a proper historical context, incorporating the personal experiences of the men who were present on the front lines. The British regulars were indeed skillful soldiers, Hart writes, courageous and adaptable in the near-impossible circumstances in which they found themselves. But they also lacked practice in many of the required disciplines of modern warfare. Hart also offers a more accurate portrait of the German Army they faced--not the caricature of hordes of automatons, but the reality of a well-trained and superlatively equipped force that outfought the BEF in the early battles--and allows readers to come to a full appreciation of the role of the French Army, which has often been marginalized"--Provided by publisher.

Author : David T. Zabecki
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Page : 3312 pages
File Size : 42,8 Mb
Release : 2014-10-28
Category : History
ISBN : 9798216089773

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Germany at War [4 volumes] by David T. Zabecki Pdf

Written by experts for use by nonexperts, this monumental work probes Germany's "Genius for War" and the unmistakable pattern of tactical and operational innovation and excellence evident throughout the nation's military history. Despite having the best military forces in the world, some of the most advanced weapons available, and unparalleled tactical proficiency, Germany still lost both World Wars. This landmark, four-volume encyclopedia explores how and why that happened, at the same time examining Germany as a military power from the start of the Thirty Years' War in 1618 to the present day. Coverage includes the Federal Republic of Germany, its predecessor states, and the kingdoms and principalities that combined to form Imperial Germany in 1871. The Seven Years' War is discussed, as are the Napoleonic Wars, the Wars of German Unification (including the Franco-Prussian War), World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. In all, more than 1,000 entries illuminate battles, organizations, leaders, armies, weapons, and other aspects of war and military life. The most comprehensive overview of German military history ever to appear in English, this work will enable students and others interested in military history to better understand the sociopolitical history of Germany, the complex role conflict has played in the nation throughout its history, and why Germany continues to be an important player on the European continent.

Author : Adrian Gilbert
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 374 pages
File Size : 52,7 Mb
Release : 2014-02-20
Category : History
ISBN : 9781472808141

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Challenge of Battle by Adrian Gilbert Pdf

Winston Churchill described the opening campaign of World War I as 'a drama never surpassed'. The titanic clash of Europe's armies in 1914 is one the great stories of 20th-century history, and one in which the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) played a notable part. Previous assessments of the BEF have held to an unshakeable belief in its exceptional performance during the battles of 1914. But closer examination of the historical record reveals a force possessing some key strengths yet undermined by other, significant failings. Within an authoritative and well-paced campaign narrative, Challenge of Battle re-evaluates the Army's leadership, organization and tactics. It describes the problems faced by commanders, grappling with the brutal realities of 20th-century warfare, and explains how the British infantry's famed marksmanship has to be set against the inexperience and tactical shortcomings of the BEF as a whole. However, it also demonstrates the progress made by the British during 1914, concluding with the successful defence of Ypres against superior enemy forces. The author examines the fateful decisions made by senior officers and how they affected the men under their command. Making full use of diaries, letters and other contemporary accounts, he builds a compelling picture of what it was like to fight in the battles of Mons, Le Cateau, the Aisne and Ypres. In this timely new book, Adrian Gilbert clears away the layers of sentiment that have obscured a true historical understanding of the 1914 campaign to provide a full, unvarnished picture of the BEF at war.

Author : Joseph F. Byrnes
Publisher : Penn State Press
Page : 316 pages
File Size : 55,5 Mb
Release : 2023-08-30
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 9780271095974

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God on the Western Front by Joseph F. Byrnes Pdf

Author : M. L. West,Formerly Professor of Greek at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College Senior Research Fellow M L West
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 540 pages
File Size : 44,9 Mb
Release : 2007-05-24
Category : Literary Collections
ISBN : 0199280754

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Indo-European Poetry and Myth by M. L. West,Formerly Professor of Greek at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College Senior Research Fellow M L West Pdf

"The book deserves a warm welcome. Steady work has gone into the writing of it, and M.L. West's ability to detect analogies and to make comparisons has again been deployed to good effect G.L. Huxley, Hermathena ... the ideal guide in a complex field of learning. International Review of Biblical Studies Martin West has written the definitive book on Indo-European language and religion ... [the] ... world of words is beautifully laid out for us in this important book London Review of Books This volume ... is written with the grace, style and wit that we have come to expect..the picture that emerges is detailed and consistent ... the results are fascinating ... West has done a great service in providing an accurate and up-to-date account. Richard Janko, TLS It is a book for repeated consultation rather than a quick read through ... a landmark publication in an area of study whose importance is likely to grow - not only for classics but also for the humanities more generally. N.J. Allen, Bryn Mawr Classical Review a virtual compendium of the most relevant material distilled by one of the finest minds to venture into this field J.S. Sheldon", Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society.

Author : Richard S. Grayson
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 488 pages
File Size : 41,7 Mb
Release : 2018-09-17
Category : Biography & Autobiography
ISBN : 9781108611428

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Dublin's Great Wars by Richard S. Grayson Pdf

The story of the Dubliners who served in the British military and in republican forces during the First World War and the Irish Revolution.

Author : Spencer C. Tucker
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Page : 2532 pages
File Size : 54,9 Mb
Release : 2014-10-28
Category : History
ISBN : 9781851099658

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World War I [5 volumes] by Spencer C. Tucker Pdf

Offering exhaustive coverage, detailed analyses, and the latest historical interpretations of events, this expansive, five-volume encyclopedia is the most comprehensive and detailed reference source on the First World War available today. One hundred years after the beginning of World War I in 1914, this conflict still stands as perhaps the most important event of the 20th century. World War I toppled all of the existing empires at the time, transformed the Middle East, and vaulted the United States to becoming the world's leading economic power. Its effects were profound and lasting—and included outcomes that led to World War II. This multivolume encyclopedia provides a wide-ranging examination of World War I that covers all of the important battles; key individuals, both civilian and military; weapons and technologies; and diplomatic, social, political, cultural, military, and economic developments. Suitable as a reference tool for high school and undergraduate students as well as faculty members and graduate-level researchers, World War I: The Definitive Encyclopedia and Document Collection offers accessible, in-depth information and up-to-date analyses in a format that lends itself to quick and easy use. The set comprises alphabetically arranged, cross-referenced entries accompanied by further reading selections as well as a comprehensive bibliography. A fifth volume provides chronologically arranged documents and an A–Z index.

Author : Dennis Showalter
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 457 pages
File Size : 50,5 Mb
Release : 2016-11-17
Category : History
ISBN : 9781472813015

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Instrument of War by Dennis Showalter Pdf

Drawing on more than a half-century of research and teaching, Dennis Showalter presents a fresh perspective on the German Army during World War I. Showalter surveys an army at the heart of a national identity, driven by – yet also defeated by – warfare in the modern age, which struggled to capitalize on its victories and ultimately forgot the lessons of its defeat. Exploring the internal dynamics of the German Army and detailing how the soldiers coped with the many new forms of warfare, Showalter shows how the army's institutions responded to, and how Germany itself was changed by war. Detailing the major campaigns on the Western and Eastern fronts and the forgotten war fought in the Middle East and Africa, this comprehensive volume, now publishing in paperback, examines the army's operational strategy, the complexities of campaigns of movement versus static trench warfare, and the effects of changes in warfare.