From the Somme to Victory: The British Army's Experience on the Western Front 1916-1918

[Crunchy]

From the Somme to Victory: The British Army's Experience on the Western Front 1916-1918 Peter Simkins, Pen & Sword, Barnsley, 2014. 254pp 

 

This excellent book contains eight essays previously written by the highly respected Professor Peter Simkins over the fifteen years prior to 2014. Each has been revised and updated with new material that has become available since they first appeared. In doing so, he tackles some of the myths, both old and recent, about the British Army on the Western Front, which he effectively demolishes based on sound research and erudite analysis - doing so in an understated and balanced approach. Simkins persuades with evidence, analysis and context, rather than exhorts with shallow assumption.

Leading off are two very useful chapters concerned with aspects of the historiography of the war. The first addresses the more recent works of historians since 1991, and especially the front line experience; the second takes a longer view with an instructive discourse on the historiography of the 1916 Battle of the Somme; from the unit and official histories appearing at the end of the end of the war through to the academic studies based on archival research leading up to the eve of its centenary. Both are models of balance and thoughtful consideration, and ought to be read by those wishing to grasp an understanding of the various schools of thought, why the 'Lions led by Donkeys" school was so bankrupt of historical research, and why the revisionists are on firmer ground and gaining the ascendancy amongst those with a strong interest in the war, if not the wider public.

 

Then follow five chapters covering a specific aspect or action on the Somme; three in 1916 and two in 1918. Dissecting the character, commanders and performance of the New Army divisions during the dreadful 1916 battle, Simkins demonstrates that many performed relatively well, refuting the assertions of historians touting a negative view. This is not to say all did well, those with the lowest success rate were K4 New Army divisions largely composed of Pals battalions, but he provides what some historians do not - the context in which they fought, and compelling analysis of the evidence and data available.  This approach follows on in his succeeding four chapters: the 18th (Eastern) Division's capture of Thiepval in September 1916; an interesting study of a very gallant stand over eight days by an outnumbered group of New Army troops isolated in Frankfort Trench in November; the performance of the British divisions at the First and Second Battles of Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918, and the audacious and highly successful recapture of Thiepval and the Ancre heights in August 1918. The eighth and concluding chapter is a fine study of of the 12th (Eastern) Division during the Hundred Days.

 

 In all of these essays Professor Simkins provides the necessary background and leadup to the battles, the context in which they were fought, and shows conclusively that, while the 'learning curve' was uneven, British commanders and their troops quickly adapted after the very bloody nose of the 1st of July 1916.  Above all he highlights many British officers at all levels were fine, intelligent commanders who quickly sought to find answers to the awful problems facing them. In this respect, Simkins disputes Tim Travers and Martin Samuels that British command and control was overly centralised. Indeed most who have read Samuel's Command or Control? recognise it as a shallow and distorted study that cherrypicks examples, and not even fairly, to support a pre-conceived idea. Moreover, he simply gets wrong several examples used to shore-up his contentions - demonstrating his lack of knowledge of the subject he feels competent to pronounce upon. In fact British command philosophy as espoused in their doctrine prior to the war was very similar to that of the Germans - a point made very succinctly by the New Zealand historian Christopher Pugsley, and one which Samuels ignores.

 

While Australian historians are quick to recount Villers-Bretonneaux as an Australian victory, and Simkins graciously acknowledges the key role played by the 13th and 15th Australian Infantry brigades during the Second Battle, he refutes Monash's unfair and churlish criticism of the severely depleted and exhausted British units, and rehabilitates and places in perspective the part they played alongside the Australians. Indeed the 5th Australian Division paid them due credit at the end of the battle. In analysing the 12th (Eastern) Division during the Hundred Days, especially its commanders and leaders at all levels, Simkins disputes the views that are critical of the standards of junior leadership during the final stages of the war, using as evidence the success of the division and the exploits of its officers, NCO's and the boy recruits, who were the bulk of its strength. As a veteran with combat experience, this reviewer was left with nothing but admiration of what these men did. It is sad their story is not more widely told.

 

Written in a style that flows well, logically, and is easily digestible From the Somme to Victory is another welcome corrective to our knowledge of the British Army on the Western Front in 1916 and 1918. It is highly recommended for those who wish to understand the complexities of what the the British Army faced, rather than read the works of historians who simply seek to criticise.

[josquin]

Chris,

As always, your review of Simkins' book is exemplary-- judicious, balanced, and highly informative as well as highly informed.

A superior review aims to inform as well as critique, and you motivate readers to become more familiar with Simkins' distinguished work.

Best regards,

Josquin 

Edited 3 April , 2018 by josquin

[Crunchy]

Thank you for your very kind words Josquin.

 

I do hope more people read Simkin’s work - sound research, balanced in his judgements and well written. A fine historian who has made a major contribution to righting the wrongs of those shallow ‘historians’ who denigrated the British effort. In Britain you are being well served with a good crop of sound historians these days.

 

 Here in Australia we have an emerging band of good historians who are over turning many of the hoary old myths of our military history, which some people still cling to, and putting issues into perspective. One feels a sense of national maturity in their work.

 

Kind regards,

Chris

[Chris_Baker]

My own review (which, I was surprised to see, dates back to 2015): http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/from-somme-to-victory/

[WilliamRev]

Your review is spot-on Chris, and your comments on 'revisionism' especially so. Many thanks!

 

William