Spurred on by the response to my recent blog post about the 1912 British Army manoeuvres, I bought a copy of the reprint of REPORT ON FOREIGN MANOEUVRES IN 1912.
The original was compiled from reports of British army officers who were official observers at various annual army manoeuvres conducted. The nations whose manoeuvres are covered in the book are:
- Austrian-Hungary
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Italy
- Japan
- Norway
- Russia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United States
Each report covers the following topics:
- Direction of manoeuvres
- Staff; tactics of the tree arms combined
- Infantry
- Cavalry
- Artillery
- Engineers; signal services
- Air service
- Supply, transport, quarters
- Medical
- General impressions
The book is full of very useful details as well as the professional judgements of the observers. Bearing in mind the fact that the book was prepared and distributed less than two years before the outbreak of the Great War, and that it covers the main combatants of that war, it should prove to be a great resource for both serious students of the events leading up to the outbreak of the war as well as wargamers with an eclectic taste in wargames.
REPORT ON FOREIGN MANOEUVRES IN 1912 was originally published in that year by the General Staff, War Office. My copy was published by The Naval & Military Press (ISBN 978 1 847348 45 6).
A terrific read, very accessible and filled with fascinating details.
ReplyDeleteTradgardmastare,
DeleteI’ve already read quite a few of the reports, and you are right, they are absolutely fascinating.
All the best,
Bob
I'm looking forward to receiving my copy, as the Canadian report was fascinating. I'd never heard of the British using kites to fly observers when it was too windy for aeroplanes or dirigibles, but I want some for my wargames!
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteI’m finding the reports in my copy very interesting and informative.
Man-carrying kites were certainly used by the British armed services, and one of the pioneers was Samuel Cody ... whose real name was Samuel Cowdery (no relation!).
All the best,
Bob
Just when you think you have heard everything .. ;) .. something like the 1912 British Army manoeuvres comes along .. great stuff Bob
ReplyDeleteGeordie an Exile FoG,
DeleteIt is a wonderful publication that is full of interesting information ... some of which shows a degree of British xenophobia!
All the best,
Bob