Read Strategy and Power in World War One: How the Great War Was Won and Lost

Strategy and Power in World War One: How the Great War Was Won and Lost

William Roger Townshend

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Description:A century since the start of WW1 in 1914, this first of the ‘total wars’ of the twentieth century is chiefly remembered for the massive casualties that occurred with trench warfare. By examining the balance of power and strategy of both sides we explain why this came about and the why the war lasted so long. In doing so it demolishes many myths, starting with the popular view that it was all due to stupid generals. There were mistakes and incompetence on all sides, but no more, or less so than in other wars.Instead we find that the generals faced unprecedented new problems of scale, of defensive firepower, of a lack of mobility, and for the first time in history and most difficult of all, continuous fronts. Starting with the great power war plans of 1914, we show how their failure, which wasn’t inevitable, brought about the long period of strategic stalemate. This stalemate between the two alliances with armies of millions backed by the ‘total war’ of mobilised industrial economies caused the damage rather than trench warfare per see. Surprisingly, the more open warfare of 1914 and 1918 was more costly than the trench warfare of 1915-1917. Campaign by campaign we examine the evolution of both offensive and defensive military strategies by both sides that attempted to overcome the deadlock and end the war. Rather than just the same old story, or myth, of stupidity; it was more a case that these efforts cancelled each other out and maintained a balance of power until almost the end that extended the war, and thus its cost.We also examines where the Great War was won and lost. It wasn’t just about Britain or the English speaking world or the western front. There is a global view of the campaigns and battles of WW1 and an accurate balance of scale between the various land fronts and determining factors such as sea power. It examines the strategy of both sides and all powers. While the western front was the single most important in determining the wars course, outcome and cost; it wasn’t overwhelmingly so, thus shattering another myth. Little known in the west is that the eastern front, where Russia fought on the side of the Allies against Germany and Austria-Hungary, was as large in scale, casualties and importance as the western front up to the end of 1917. Without Russia, the Allies would likely have lost, and its overall role was greater than that of America which finally swung the balance of power, but only near the end in 1918. Critical throughout, an innovative feature of ‘Strategy and Power in WW1’ is an analysis section at the end of each yearly campaign chapter looking at mistakes and alternative strategies, by both sides, that might have shortened the war. Alternative strategies available at the time, not relying on chance events, could have made a difference. WW1 could plausibly have ended in a German victory in 1914 or 1915. Only in 1916, the bloodiest year, was there a truly unbreakable deadlock with the notorious attrition strategies having little chance of success. In contrast in 1917 either side could have won: the Germans by avoiding unrestricted U-boat warfare and American entry; and the Allies by keeping Russia in the war. Shortening the war would have reduced casualties and the disastrous post-war consequences.Finally, and in contrast to the ‘stupid general’ theory, through the lens of the casualties and continuing consequences of WW1 such as the Versailles system, we find the ‘futility’ myth to be ambiguous rather than false. WW1 wasn’t caused by Germany alone. Moreover it could have been avoided in 1914, but whether it was worth fighting the war or not, depends upon different national and ideological perspectives.We have made it easy for you to find a PDF Ebooks without any digging. And by having access to our ebooks online or by storing it on your computer, you have convenient answers with Strategy and Power in World War One: How the Great War Was Won and Lost. To get started finding Strategy and Power in World War One: How the Great War Was Won and Lost, you are right to find our website which has a comprehensive collection of manuals listed.
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Description: A century since the start of WW1 in 1914, this first of the ‘total wars’ of the twentieth century is chiefly remembered for the massive casualties that occurred with trench warfare. By examining the balance of power and strategy of both sides we explain why this came about and the why the war lasted so long. In doing so it demolishes many myths, starting with the popular view that it was all due to stupid generals. There were mistakes and incompetence on all sides, but no more, or less so than in other wars.Instead we find that the generals faced unprecedented new problems of scale, of defensive firepower, of a lack of mobility, and for the first time in history and most difficult of all, continuous fronts. Starting with the great power war plans of 1914, we show how their failure, which wasn’t inevitable, brought about the long period of strategic stalemate. This stalemate between the two alliances with armies of millions backed by the ‘total war’ of mobilised industrial economies caused the damage rather than trench warfare per see. Surprisingly, the more open warfare of 1914 and 1918 was more costly than the trench warfare of 1915-1917. Campaign by campaign we examine the evolution of both offensive and defensive military strategies by both sides that attempted to overcome the deadlock and end the war. Rather than just the same old story, or myth, of stupidity; it was more a case that these efforts cancelled each other out and maintained a balance of power until almost the end that extended the war, and thus its cost.We also examines where the Great War was won and lost. It wasn’t just about Britain or the English speaking world or the western front. There is a global view of the campaigns and battles of WW1 and an accurate balance of scale between the various land fronts and determining factors such as sea power. It examines the strategy of both sides and all powers. While the western front was the single most important in determining the wars course, outcome and cost; it wasn’t overwhelmingly so, thus shattering another myth. Little known in the west is that the eastern front, where Russia fought on the side of the Allies against Germany and Austria-Hungary, was as large in scale, casualties and importance as the western front up to the end of 1917. Without Russia, the Allies would likely have lost, and its overall role was greater than that of America which finally swung the balance of power, but only near the end in 1918. Critical throughout, an innovative feature of ‘Strategy and Power in WW1’ is an analysis section at the end of each yearly campaign chapter looking at mistakes and alternative strategies, by both sides, that might have shortened the war. Alternative strategies available at the time, not relying on chance events, could have made a difference. WW1 could plausibly have ended in a German victory in 1914 or 1915. Only in 1916, the bloodiest year, was there a truly unbreakable deadlock with the notorious attrition strategies having little chance of success. In contrast in 1917 either side could have won: the Germans by avoiding unrestricted U-boat warfare and American entry; and the Allies by keeping Russia in the war. Shortening the war would have reduced casualties and the disastrous post-war consequences.Finally, and in contrast to the ‘stupid general’ theory, through the lens of the casualties and continuing consequences of WW1 such as the Versailles system, we find the ‘futility’ myth to be ambiguous rather than false. WW1 wasn’t caused by Germany alone. Moreover it could have been avoided in 1914, but whether it was worth fighting the war or not, depends upon different national and ideological perspectives.We have made it easy for you to find a PDF Ebooks without any digging. And by having access to our ebooks online or by storing it on your computer, you have convenient answers with Strategy and Power in World War One: How the Great War Was Won and Lost. To get started finding Strategy and Power in World War One: How the Great War Was Won and Lost, you are right to find our website which has a comprehensive collection of manuals listed.
Our library is the biggest of these that have literally hundreds of thousands of different products represented.

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Strategy and Power in World War One: How the Great War Was Won and Lost

Strategy and Power in World War One: How the Great War Was Won and Lost

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