The Mons Myth

Conventional histories of the Battles of Mons and Le Cateau describe how, although the British were massively outnumbered, precise and rapid rifle fire mowed down rows of German troops: the staggering casualties inflicted made both British victories, and set the stage for the Battle of the Marne. But neither encounter has ever been described in English from the German point of view. Using German tactics manuals and regimental histories, Terence Zuber re-examines the battles at Mons and Le Cateau, subjecting British tactics to a critique that goes beyond admiration for rapid rifle fire and presenting new and startling perspectives, showing how the Germans employed a high degree of tactical sophistication in conducting combined-arms operations. The odds 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, and completely changes our understanding of what actually happened.

ISBN 0752452479   DEWEY 940.421 ISBN13 9780752452470 (What's this?)   DEWEY edition DC22 Publisher The History Press Ltd   Pages 256 Imprint The History Press Ltd   Published in Stroud Format Hardback   Academic level General Publication date 01 Feb 2010

		Glossary		6
1		The British Description of Mons and Le Cateau		7
2		Tactics and Training		13
3		The German Ist Army in Belgium		69
4		Mons		169
5		24 August		169
6		25 August		199
7		Le Cateau		211
8		27 August		261
9		Conclusions		265
		Notes		271
Appendix I		British Order of Battle		290
Appendix II		German Order of Battle		292
		Acknowledgements		296
		Index		297

 Be the first to write a customer review