World War I Trench Warfare (1): 1914–16

Osprey Elite #78

by Stephen Bull, Stephen Bull

Osprey's survey of trench warfare tactics of World War I (1914-1918). The regular armies which marched off to war in 1914 were composed of massed riflemen, screened by cavalry and supported by artillery; their leaders expected a quick and decisive outcome, achieved by sweeping manoeuvre, bold leadership and skill at arms. Eighteen months later the whole nature of field armies and their tactics had changed utterly. In sophisticated trench systems forming a battlefield a few miles wide and 400 miles long, conscript armies sheltered from massive long-range bombardment, wielding new weapons according to new tactical doctrines. This first of two richly illustrated studies explains in detail the specifics of that extraordinary transformation, complete with ten full colour plates of uniforms and equipment.

Genres: Military History, History, World War I, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, World History

64 pages, Paperback

Published February 25, 2002

Reviews

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

#78 of the "Elite" series of Books from Osprey finds Dr. Stephen Bull, noted Military Historian, explaining the first years of WWI and its trench warfare. The Author takes full advantage of the 64 page format with the 5 colour pages of illustrations in the middle. Peppered with B/w photos and diagrams, the narrative gives us some history and then gets into the particulars of trench warfare. The WWI combatants did not intend to produce a 3.5 year stalemate across northern France and a sliver of Belgium- they all thought of a war of rapid maneuver. But the simple efficiency of the Machine Gun and the Howitzer shell rapidly drove soldiers to digging- and soon there was a line of entrenchment from the Channel to the Swiss border. The totally logical outcome of modern warfare's lethality- but one that very few had actually foreseen.

Bull takes us through the new technologies of WWI on and in the ground. After we learn about what the entrenchments were, we learn about Grenades, trench mortars , and the barest beginnings of personal armour and helmets. Then how those new weapons and tactics went into the 1915 Offensives that poured such huge amounts of blood into the European earth. Bull takes us through the whole horrific cycle at a fast enough pace that you can prevent yourself from being too shocked by the grisly details. But it does show you how the participants focused on the tasks at hand- seldom stopping to think about the sheer insanity of it all. Compelling stuff.

With few adult themes and some restraint from the most grisly details, this book will be readable by Junior readers over about 11- but it may make hard going even then. For the Gamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast this book is a very good pickup. Lots of details about both sides' practices that will help Scenario/Diorama development - and a lot of interesting details and jumping off points for further study by the enthusiasts. My Grandfather fought in that nightmare, so I keep reading about it- but it can be hard reading. At least this puts the issues into a format that can edify almost any reader on a tough subject.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

World War I Trench Warfare (1): 1914-1916 covers the first two years of the Great War. The book talks about the Central Powers and the Allies, the tactics and the weaponry. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to know more about World War I.