European University Institute Library

Britain's two world wars against Germany, myth, memory and the distortions of hindsight, Brian Bond

eng

index present

non fiction

Britain's two world wars against Germany

electronic resource

dictionaries

893076484

Brian Bond

Cambridge Social Sciences eBooks

myth, memory and the distortions of hindsight

Britain's role and performance in the two World Wars continues to generate considerable debate but the wars are rarely considered together. Leading military historian Brian Bond here challenges the popular view of the First World War as catastrophic and futile in contrast to the Second World War as a well-conducted and victorious moral crusade. He focuses on the key issues which have caused controversy and distortion, to demonstrate how these views became deeply rooted in popular culture in the years since 1945. These issues range from policy and strategy, combat experience, the attritional strategies of naval blockade and strategic bombing to British generalship, and gains and losses in the aftermath of both wars. He also considers the learning process of the British Army in both world wars. He boldly concludes that in a number of important respects Britain was more successful in the First World War than in the Second.--, Provided by publisher

The creation of myths after 1945 -- British policy and strategy -- British generalship in the two world wars -- At the sharp end: combat experience in the two world wars -- Attrition in the First World War: the naval blockade -- Attrition in the Second World War: the strategic bombing of Germany -- The transformation of war on the western front, 1914--1918 -- The British Army's learning process in the Second World War -- After the wars: Britain's gains and losses