Indian Army on the Western Front - India s Expeditionary Force to France Belgium in First World War

The Indian army fought on the western front with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) from 1914 to 1918. The traditional interpretations of its performance have been dominated by ideas that it was a failure. This book offers a radical reconsideration by revealing new answers to the debate's central questions, such as whether the Indian army 'saved' the BEF from defeat in 1914, or whether Indian troops were particularly prone to self-inflicting wounds and fleeing the trenches. It looks at the Indian army from top to bottom, from generals at headquarters to snipers in no man's land. It takes a global approach, exploring the links between the Indian army's 1914-18 campaigning in France and Belgium and its pre-1914 small wars in Asia and Africa, and comparing the performance of the Indian regiments on the western front to those in China, East Africa, Mesopotamia and elsewhere.

Sommario

Introduction; 1. The army in India; 2. Small wars and regular warfare; 3. Strengths; 4. Weaknesses; 5. To Flanders; 6. 'Saving' the BEF; 7. Climate, casualty replacements and departure; 8. Self-inflicted wounds and flights; 9. Old tactics; 10. New tactics; 11. Commanders and staff; 12. Administration; Conclusion; Bibliography.

Info autore

George Morton-Jack studied history at the University of Oxford before becoming a barrister. This is his first book.

Riassunto

The Indian army fought alongside the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front from 1914 to 1918, but analysis of its performance tends to deem this a failure. Examining the tactical, operational and administrative performance of the Indian army, this groundbreaking study reconsiders its contribution and combat effectiveness.

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: George Morton-Jack, Morton-Jack George
• Editore: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Copertina rigida
• Pubblicazione: 07.04.2014
• EAN: 9781107027466
• ISBN: 978-1-107-02746-6
• Pagine: 348
• Serie: Cambridge Military Histories; Cambridge Military Histories
• Categorie: Saggistica > Storia > Altro; Scienze umane, arte, musica > Storia > Storia dei paesi e delle regioni; Europe, European History, First World War, HISTORY / Military / General, military history, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, India, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, c 1910 to c 1919, Asian History, c 1914 to c 1918 (World War One period)