Against Odds: Reflections on the Experiences of the British Army, 1914-45

by Dominick Graham

Overview

Professor Graham compares the performance of the British Army in the two world wars. He identifies as a source of failure in the First World War, Sir Douglas Haig's inability to adopt appropriate operations for his chosen strategy, or suitable tactics for the operations. Montgomery usually avoided that mistake in the Second World War. Graham draws upon his own experience of combat to help the reader make a connection between the orders given to corps and their effect on small units.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780333668597
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	12/16/1998
Edition description:	1999
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dominick Graham is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of New Brunswick, Canada.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements List of Illustrations List of Maps Preface Introduction Prologue PART I: 1914-18 The Army Prepares Learning the Ropes Politicians, Commanders and Battles Necessity Knows No Law Conclusion PART II: THE MEDITERRANEAN 1941-42 The Desert Campaign The Armour Problem The Gazala Battle Fighting PART III: NORTHWEST EUROPE The Second Army in Normandy The Conduct of the Normandy Campaign Fighting Experiences Battles on the Falaise Road Montgomery's Reputation The End or Another Beginning? Montgomery Versus the Americans Reflections Select Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

Combines an exploration of the methods of British military leaders in the World Wars with reflections on the author's own experience fighting in the Second World War. He includes a comparison of the styles of commanders Douglas Haig and Bernard Montgomery in his analysis of battlefield decisions. He argues that in both wars relatively under-equipped British armies learned to counter efficient German foes by relying on heavy high explosive power. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknew.com)

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