crazycaptain | 01 Jul 2022 11:13 a.m. PST |
I am interested in expanding my knowledge of the western front in 1914. I would like to understand the operational history, but I would also like to understand the tactics used by the British, Germans, and French. Any suggetsions? |
khanscom | 01 Jul 2022 6:40 p.m. PST |
There is a bit of information for Germany in Rommel's "Infantry Attacks". |
Prince Alberts Revenge | 01 Jul 2022 7:49 p.m. PST |
I learned from a collection of books. The Osprey on the Marne is very good IMO, with some of the photos and accounts of the casualties, improvised earthworks and tactics you gain an appreciation for the meatgrinder: link The Last Great Cavalry Charge gives good insight into new technology (bicycles, barbed wire, MGs) and old tech (cavalry) meeting on the 20th century battlefield:https://www.amazon.com/Cavalry-Charge-Battle-Silver-Helmets-Halen-12/dp/1781551839 Lastly, Lost Opportunity is a great book dealing with French offensive in 1914, my copy included a booklet with excellent battle maps: link |
ColCampbell | 01 Jul 2022 8:32 p.m. PST |
A cleaner link to The Last Great Cavalry Charge book link Jim |
bobspruster | 02 Jul 2022 4:31 a.m. PST |
Barbara Tuckman's "The Guns of August" is a must read if you haven't already read it. "The Marne, 1914" by Holger Herwig is also an excellent quick read. For nitty-gritty info, go to Osprey. |
Porthos | 02 Jul 2022 5:33 a.m. PST |
For a better understanding of the august 1914 problems for the Allies see Edward Spears: Liaison 1914 (https://www.amazon.com/Liaison-1914-Edward-Spears/dp/0304356824). |
crazycaptain | 02 Jul 2022 7:06 a.m. PST |
Awesome. Thank you very much, gentlemen. |
Blutarski | 02 Jul 2022 1:02 p.m. PST |
Hi crazycaptain, I can recommend the following - > "First Day on the Somme" by Martin Middlebrook > "Stormtroop Tactics: Innovation in the German Army 1914-1916", by Bruce Gudmundsson > "The Dynamics of Doctrine: The Changes in German Tactical Doctrine During the Forst World War" by Timothy T Lupfer > "Doctrine and Dogma: German and British Infantry Tactics in the First World War", by Martin Samuels > "Tactics, Volume 1: Infantry" by Hermann Balck > "Battle Tactics of the Western Front: The British Army's Art of Attack 1916-1918", by Paddy Griffith > "Pillboxes on the Western Front: A Guide to the Design, Construction and Use of Concrete Pillboxes 1914-1918", by Peter Oldham > "German Assault Troops of World War I: Organization, Tactics, Weapons, Equipment, Orders of Battle, Uniforms", by Thomas Wictor Wish I had something worthwhile to offer on the French Army. B |
monk2002uk | 03 Jul 2022 1:35 a.m. PST |
I thoroughly endorse 'The Lost Opportunity' as one of the best analyses of French tactics and operations in the opening weeks of the war. From the German perspective, there are several books written by Jack Sheldon that include coverage of 1914. Examples include: 'The German Army at Ypres 1914'; 'The German Army on Vimy Ridge 1914-1917'; and 'The German Army on the Somme 1914-1916'. He has co-authored several books in the Battleground Europe series, most notably for this thread the book on Le Cateau. Robert |
Blaubaer | 06 Jul 2022 4:24 a.m. PST |
Hello, try "In Stahlgewittern" by Ernst Jünger. I think it is one of the best on the theme. |
Blutarski | 06 Jul 2022 6:43 a.m. PST |
Hi Blaubaer, Herr Junger's book was translated into English and published under the title "Storm of Steel". It is an essential reference covering the "facts of life" on the Western Front in WW1 – a very sobering and serious account, IMO, and one not to be missed by any student of the period. B |