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The First World War
The years 1914 to 1918 saw Europe engaged in a conflict involving a greater area and a greater number of men than history had ever before recorded. In this book, Captain Cyril Falls, known in British academic and governmental circles as an expert in military history, discusses the military side of World War I in the light of its battles, tactics and weapons; its problems of supply and transport; its armies and their commanders. The engagements in the many theaters of war in Europe, Asia and Africa are described in vivid detail, but particular attention is focused on the Western Front, where the principal and decisive battles were fought. Although it was on land that the conclusive victories were achieved, the place of sea power and of the new type of warfare waged in the air is not ignored. The role played by civilian politics is covered as well, particularly in situations where it had direct bearing on the fighting--such as in Sarajevo in 1914 where a spark touched off the Central European powder keg and signaled the beginning of the war; the political considerations which caused the US as well as Romania, Bulgaria, and Italy to enter the war late; and the revolution which caused Russia to leave it early. In telling how World War I was fought and why it developed as it did, Captain Falls decisively refutes the notion that World War I was an interlude of senseless and irresponsible slaughter during which military art stood still. He reminds us that it was a war remarkable for the idealistic spirit in which it was fought. Though the unprecedented, world-wide scale of battle, and the deadlock on the Western Front, taxed the skill of military leadership sorely, the war produced its great leaders: Haig, Allenby, Maude, Jellicoe, Beatty, Joffre, Foch, Petain, Pershing, Liggett, Sims, Falkenhayn, Hindenburg, Hipper, Conrad von Hotzendorf, and Mustapha Kemal. Their achievements as well as the indomitable spirit of the men they commanded are remembered here.
594 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2014
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About the author
Cyril Falls
70 books3 followersCyril Bentham Falls CBE was a British military historian, journalist and academic of Anglo-Irish extraction.
During World War I he joined the British Army, receiving a commission as a subaltern in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He also served as a Staff Officer in the Headquarters of the 36th (Ulster) Division and the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division during the course of the war. He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre, and was discharged from the British Army with the rank of Captain.
After completing his military service, Falls wrote a history of one of the units he had served with during the war. His first book, 'The History of the 36th (Ulster) Division' was published in 1922.
From 1923 to 1939 he was employed by the Historical Section of the U.K. Government's Committee of Imperial Defence, researching and writing several volumes of the British Government's 'Official History of the War'.
During World War II he served as the military correspondent for 'The Times' of London, from 1939 to 1945.
After the war he held the post of Chichele Professor of Military History at All Souls College, Oxford University from 1946 to 1953.
During World War I he joined the British Army, receiving a commission as a subaltern in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He also served as a Staff Officer in the Headquarters of the 36th (Ulster) Division and the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division during the course of the war. He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre, and was discharged from the British Army with the rank of Captain.
After completing his military service, Falls wrote a history of one of the units he had served with during the war. His first book, 'The History of the 36th (Ulster) Division' was published in 1922.
From 1923 to 1939 he was employed by the Historical Section of the U.K. Government's Committee of Imperial Defence, researching and writing several volumes of the British Government's 'Official History of the War'.
During World War II he served as the military correspondent for 'The Times' of London, from 1939 to 1945.
After the war he held the post of Chichele Professor of Military History at All Souls College, Oxford University from 1946 to 1953.
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August 4, 2019
An interesting insightful treatment of The Great War by a participant, Falls received a commission into the British Army as a subaltern in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He served as a Staff Officer in the Head Quarters of the 36th (Ulster) Division and the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division during the conflict. He received the French Croix de Guerre, and was discharged from the British Armed Forces with the rank of Captain.
His appreciation of the conflict is therefore slightly different from the usual historian's perspective and his comments on the quality of the troops or their morale are illuminating.
His appreciation of the conflict is therefore slightly different from the usual historian's perspective and his comments on the quality of the troops or their morale are illuminating.
Displaying 1 of 1 review