The British Army's Art of Attack 1916-18: Unlocking the Secrets of Military Strategy

When we think of the British Army in World War I, images of trench warfare, mud-filled trenches, and the Somme come to mind. However, one aspect of the British Army's operations during the war often gets overlooked - their art of attack. This article will delve into the strategies and tactics employed by the British Army from 1916 to 1918, revealing the forgotten art that was key to their eventual victory.

The Learning Curve: From Stalemate to Success

Following the onset of trench warfare, the British Army faced a formidable challenge - breaking through the enemy lines and achieving victory. The early attempts, especially during the Battle of the Somme in 1916, resulted in heavy casualties and little progress. However, the lessons learned during these initial battles shaped the British Army's approach to attacking their enemy.

Integrated Tactics and Technological Innovations

As the war progressed, the British Army developed integrated tactics that combined infantry, artillery, and tanks, with the goal of achieving greater success in their attacks. The advent of new technologies, such as the tank, allowed the British to break through enemy lines and create opportunities for further advances.

Battle Tactics of the Western Front: The British Army`s Art of Attack, 1916-18

by Paddy Griffith(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1375 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	303 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

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The of tanks on the battlefield brought a new dimension to warfare. These metal behemoths provided cover and support to the infantry, enabling them to penetrate enemy defenses effectively. Without the British Army's mastery of tank warfare, the outcome of many battles may have been different.

Strategic Planning and Coordination

Behind every successful attack lies meticulous planning and coordination. The British Army understood the importance of intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and careful selection of the objectives. The coordination between different units, including the infantry, artillery, engineers, and support services, played a significant role in the success of their attacks.

Artillery bombardments were a critical component of the British Army's attack strategy. They softened the enemy's defenses, destroyed key fortifications, and provided cover for the advancing troops. The accuracy and precision of the British artillery were crucial in achieving success on the battlefield.

Fostering Innovation: Specialized Units

The British Army also established specialized units to enhance their attack capabilities. The establishment of the Royal Flying Corps, for example, allowed for effective aerial reconnaissance, enabling the British to gather crucial information about the enemy's positions and movements. This information proved invaluable in planning successful attacks.

The Legacy of the British Army's Art of Attack

The strategies and tactics employed by the British Army from 1916 to 1918 revolutionized the art of attack in modern warfare. Their innovative approaches paved the way for future military strategies and influenced how wars are fought to this day. It is essential to recognize and understand the British Army's art of attack, as it played a fundamental role in their ultimate triumph.

The British Army's art of attack during World War I was a remarkable feat of strategy, innovation, and coordination. Their ability to learn from early mistakes, integrate new technologies, and meticulously plan their attacks set them apart from their adversaries. From the of tanks to the establishment of specialized units, the British Army's approach to attack revolutionized modern warfare. By remembering and studying their achievements, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made and the lessons learned during this tumultuous period in history.

Battle Tactics of the Western Front: The British Army`s Art of Attack, 1916-18

by Paddy Griffith(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1375 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	303 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Historians have portrayed British participation in World War I as a series of tragic debacles, with lines of men mown down by machine guns, with untried new military technology, and incompetent generals who threw their troops into improvised and unsuccessful attacks. In this book a renowned military historian studies the evolution of British infantry tactics during the war and challenges this interpretation, showing that while the British army's plans and technologies failed persistently during the improvised first half of the war, the army gradually improved its technique, technology, and, eventually, its' self-assurance. By the time of its successful sustained offensive in the fall of 1918, says Paddy Griffith, the British army was demonstrating a battlefield skill and mobility that would rarely be surpassed even during World War II.

Evaluating the great gap that exists between theory and practice, between textbook and bullet-swept mudfield, Griffith argues that many battles were carefully planned to exploit advanced tactics and to avoid casualties, but that breakthrough was simply impossible under the conditions of the time. According to Griffith, the British were already masters of "storm troop tactics" by the end of 1916, and in several important respects were further ahead than the Germans would be even in 1918. In fields such as the timing and orchestration of all-arms assaults, predicted artillery fire, "Commando-style" trench raiding, the use of light machine guns, or the barrage fire of heavy machine guns, the British led the world. Although British generals were not military geniuses, says Griffith, they should at least be credited for effectively inventing much of the twentieth-century's art of war.