The Mons Myth: A Reassessment of the Battle

by Terence Zuber

Conventional histories of the battles of Mons and Le Cateau describe how, although the British were massively outnumbered, precise and rapid British rifle fire mowed down rows of German troops. The staggering German casualties made these battles British victories, and set the stage for the Battle of the Marne. Neither battle has ever been described in English from the German point of view. Using German tactics manuals and regimental histories, The Mons Myth describes the battles at Mons and Le Cateau. It also subjects British tactics to a critique that goes beyond admiration for rapid rifle fire and presents new and startling perspectives of both Mons and Le Cateau, showing how the Germans employed a high degree of tactical sophistication in conducting a combined-arms battle. The odds at both battles were, in fact, even, and German casualties never reached the levels described in the standard histories. The Mons Myth is the first history of these battles to take this approach in ninety years.

Genres: World War I

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2010

About the author

Dr. Terence Zuber is an American retired army officer and military historian whose primary field of study is the First World War. He received his BA (History) in 1970 from the University of Minnesota, and entered the U.S. Army that same year. He served primarily in infantry units, and also as VII (US) Corps liaison officer to the 12. Panzerdivision of the West German Bundeswehr. He retired as a Major in 1990. He earned both his MA (History) in 1996, and his PhD summa cum laude in 2001, from the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg.

Reviews

[Brian Dougherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mythbusting.

[Eric B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Add to professional reading list

Excellent study of the myth. Should be required reading for company grade officers and junior staff officers. Should be added to any military professionals reading list.

[robin boyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

didactic beyond belief